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THE ZOOLOGIST FOR 1860. 
Pp. 6793—7296. 


LONDON: 


PRINTED BY EDWARD NEWMAN, DEVONSHIRE STREET, BISHOPSGATE, N.E. 


THE 


ZOOLOGIST: 


POPULAR MISCELLANY 


OF 


Mer UR A L-HES TORY. 


CONDUCTED BY 


EDWARD NEWMAN, F.L.S., Memes, Imp. L.-C. Acap. 


VOLUME THE GHTEENTH. 


LONDON: 


JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW. 


M.DCCC.LX. 


“ There is scarcely any well-informed person, who, if he has the will, 
has not also the power to add something essential to the general stock 
of knowledge, if he will only observe regularly and methodically some 
particular class of facts which may most excite his attention, or which his 
situation may best enable him to study with effect."—HErscuHELL. 


CONTENTS. 


ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. 


Apvams, Arruor, F.L.S. 

A day among the Cryptochitons, 7054 ; 
On the capture of Dermaster Blap- 
toides in Japan, 7060; On the cap- 
ture of Carabi in Manchuria, 7061 ; 
Opatrums and sand, On the capture 
of Dicranocephalus Wallachii in 
the Korea, 7062; On the habits of 
the argonaut, 7213; On the capture 
of Telmessus serratus in Manchuria, 
7214; Sisyphus in Manchuria, The 
“gold bug,’ a reminiscence of Rio, 
7219; Zoology of the Pratas Shoal, 
a coral reef in the China Sea, 7236; 
On the probable origin of some sea 
serpents, 7237; On the habits of 
Phronima atlantica, 7279 

Apams, Henry, F.L.S. 

Occurrence of a reversed specimen of 
Helix aspersa, 6892; Capture of 
Diachromus germanus at Hastings, 
6905 

Aston, E.R. 
Attachment of the creeper to its nest 
and eggs, Mode of feeding of the 
marsh titmouse, 6891 
AnpErson, Rospert 
Xanthia ocellaris, 6869 
Anprews, WILLIAM 

Note on the Syngnathide or pipe-fish 

family, 7052 

Appiesy, L. 

_ Robins and titmice reared in one nest, 
7171 

Backuovse, JaMEs, jun. 

_ Woodsia alpina on the Breadalbane 
Mountains, 7031 

Banks, W. 

_ Reported occurrence of Lycena Acis 

in Epping Forest, 7249 


Bates, H. W. j 

Diagnoses of three new species of 
diurnal Lepidoptera belonging to 
the genus Agrias, and of one belong- 
ing to Siderone, 6942 

Batty, JAMES 

Description of the larva of Acidalia 

inornata, 7215 
BEADNELL, W. 

Capture of Chzrocampa Celerio at 

Darlington, 7249 
BELFRAGE, JoHN HENRY - 

Notes on birds observed in Hereford- 
shire, 6805; A bat flying in the 
sunshine, 7102; Arrival of sum- 
mer birds, '7104 

Betz, Atwin S. 

Surf scoter near Scarborough, Prog- 
nostication of an early and severe 
winter, 7274 

Bett, Professor Tuomas, F.R.S. 

The stoat in its winter garb at Selborne, 

6912 
BENNETT, GEorGE, F.Z.S., &c. 

Notes on the mooruk, 6809; Notes 
on the habits of the jabiru, 6880; 
Notes on the duckbill, 6915 

BEw ey, Rev. F. 
Abundance of the common lizard in 
Treland, 7172 
Birks, Rev. B. H. 
Ephestia pinguedinella, 7156 
Bissttt, WALTER K. 

Badister peltatus and Anchomenus 

livens in Lincolnshire, 7109 
Biytn, Epwarop, F.LS., &c. 

Ou the great rorqual of the Indian 
Ocean, with notices of other cetals, 
and of the Syrenia or marine pachy- 
derms, 7117 


Bonn, Freperick,.F.LS. 

Serin finch in England, 7105; Oc- 
currence of Deilephila lineata, 7107 ; 
Sesia Spheciformis in Sussex, 7249 

Bonn, Rev. HENRY 

Rabbit apparently fascinated by a 
stoat, Hedgesparrow fascinated by a 
snake, 7273; Female adder swallow- 
ing her young, 7278 

Bree, C. R., M.D. 

Argynnis Lathonia, 6900; On the 
double-brood question as it affects 
Fidonia conspicuata, 6902; Indige- 
nous and occasional visitors to the 
Avi-Fauna of Europe, 7170 

Broverick, F.N. 
On the transverse fission of Aiptasia 
Couchii, 6911 
Brown, JosHvua 
Kestrel feeding chickens, 7170 
Brown, Rosert 

Notes of the third capture of Scymnus 
borealis off the Scottish coast, 
6861 

Bucxtanp, F. T. 
Birth of two bears at the Zoological 
Gardens, Regent's Park, 6913 
Buxton, E. C. 
Great flocks of Scoters in July, 7172 
Carrican, Dr. 
On some structural peculiarities in the 
pipe fishes, 6813 
Cuar.tton, Enwarp, M.D. 
On the great auk, 6883 
CHoULEs, A. 

Discovery near London of a Physa 

new to the British Fauna, 7278 
Crark, Rev. Hamuet, M.A. 

Capture of Haltica Atrope in Britain, 

7266 
Crark, THomas 

Late stay of martins, 6808; Early 
appearance of Dasychira pudibunda, 
6900 ; Question as to the species of 
the British Cyclamen, 6952 

Ciemens, Dr. 
On the functions of the antenne of 
insects, 6898 
Cooper, JaMES 
Exeretia Allisella bred, 7154 
Corprer, Tuomas, F.LS. 

Discovery of Lathyrus tuberosus at 

Fyfield, near Ongar, Essex, 7165 
Covcn, Jonatuan, F.LS. 

Nest of the green woodpecker, 6890 ; 

Martins near Christmas, 6891 
Crewe, Rev. H. Harpur, M.A. 

Description of the larva of Eupithecia 
linariata, Description of the larva of 
KE. subfulvata, 6817; Description of 


al 


the larva of E. tenuiata, Description 
of the larva of E. nanata, 6868; 
Osprey in Derbyshire, 6889 ; Some 
notes on Fidonia conspicuata, 6903 ; 
Description of the larva of Eupithecia 
castigata, Description of the larva of 
E. minutata, 6904 ; Larve of Eupi- 
theciz desired, Entomological terms, 
6944; Eupithecia expallidata bred 
from the golden rod, &c., 7005; 
Wild fowl] in the ornamental waters 
of London, 7049 ; Description of the 
larva of Eupithecia rectangulata, 
Description of a variety of the larva 
of E. assimilata, Description of the 
larva of E. expallidata, 7107; De- 
scription of the larva of E. pumilata, 
7152; Description of the larva of 
Teniocampa Populeti, 7154 ; De- 
scription of the larva of Eupithecia 
satyrata, Description of the larva of 
E. helveticata, 7215 ; Description 
of the larva of E. subumbrata, 7216 ; 
Description of the larva of Acidalia 
scutulata, Eupithecia helveticata in 
Buckinghamshire, Description of 
the larva of E. abbreviata, Note on 
the pupation of E. tenuiata, 7251 ; 
Description of the larva of Cidaria 
pyraliata, 7252; Larva of Diphthera 
Orion, 7284; Correction of an error 
in the food-plants of the larva of 
Notodonta dictza, 7296 
Crort, Joun McGariaor, M.D. 

The dugong—the valuable medicinal © 
properties of its oil in consumption 
and various diseases, 7166 

Deane, HENRY 

Expansion of the wings in Lepidoptera 
on emerging from the chrysalis, 
7159 

Dewey, W. F. 

Little bittern near Taunton, 7274 

D’OrvILe, H. 

Larva of Caradrina cubicularis in 
wheat-ricks, 6817; Sphinx Conyol- 
vuli imago and larve, 6818 

Donn, JoserH 

Gray phalarope in Orkney, Little auk 
in Orkney, 6812; Glaucous gull in 
Orkney, 6813 

D’Ursan, W.S. M. 

Rough notes on Canadian Hymenop- 

tera, 7084 
Dutton, JoHN 

Rare birds at Eastbourne, Sussex, 
6807; Whitetailed eagle near East- 
bourne, 6888; Peregrine falcon 
near Eastbourne, 6889; Richardson’s 
skua at Eastbourne, 7106 


Epreston, R. S. 

Remarks on Bombyx Quercus and the 

variety B. Callune of Palmer, 6815 
Epwarp, THomaAs 

Great ashcoloured shrike in Aberdeen- 
shire, 6807; A list of the birds of 
Banffshire, accompanied with anec- 
dotes, 6841, 6964; Acherontia 
Atropos near Banff, 7152; Capture 
of an ashcoloured shrike at sea, 
7235 

Fietcuer, J. F. 

Coleophora vibicella, 7155 
Foster, T. W. 

Nutcracker at Wisbech, 6809 
Fytres, Toomas 

Description of the larva and pupa of 
Achroia grisella, 7260 

GitBERrt, R. H. T. 

New mode of preserving fossil elephants’ 

tusks, 6913 
Gorpon, Rev. GrorcE 

Great gray shrike at Forres, N.B. 

6860 
Goruam, H.S, 

Food of the ‘larva of Depressaria ulti- 

mella, Cryphalus Fagi, 6905 
Gosse, P. H., F.R:S. 

Octopus vulgaris at Babbicombe, 6861 ; 
Note on Pyrgoma, a parasitic cirri- 
pede, 6994; Physalia pelagica at 

_ Torquay, 7295 
Gov p, Joun, F.R.S. 

On the nidification of the kingfisher, 

6978 
Gray, Rosert 

Tree sparrows, Migration of and trade 
in goldfinches, 7143 ;. Additional 
particulars of the trade in gold- 
finches, 7144 

GREENE, Rev. J., M.A. 

Drawings of the genus Eupithecia, 
6817; Double-broodedness, 6866 ; 
Habits of Macroglossa Stellatarum, 
Food-plant of the larva of Eupithecia 
tufifasciata, 7153; Larve of Cara- 
drina cubicularis, 7154 

Gurney, J. H., M.P. 

Note on the partiality of the coati- 
mundi for tobacco, 6873 ; Note on 
‘the piscivorous propensities of the 
“common carp, 7052; Note on the 
carnivorous propensities of the black- 
‘headed gull, 7106; The African 

~ anteater, 7234 
Gurnty, Samvet, M.P. 

Anecdote’ of a robin, 7143 
Guyon, GEorcE 

Actinia Mesembryanthemum with 
three mouths, 7026; Hybrid between 


Vii 


horse and deer, 7048; The sea 
serpent, 7051 ; Crustacea casting 
off their legs, 7054; Situation of 
Pyrgoma, 7055 | 

HavriEtp, Capt. Henry 

Note on the barn swallow of Jamaica, 
6975 ; Note on the piramidigs of 
Jamaica, Sun bird, 6976 ; Occurrence 
of the goatsucker, Birds observed 
between New York. and Glasgow, 
6977 

Hacur, THomas 

Capture of Dosithea eburnata near 

Conway, 7251 
Harris, Joan S. 

Capture of Trichodes hispidus in Lei- 

cestershire, 7218 
Hawkes, J. 

The hexagonal form of bees’ cells, 

7292 
Hawraliene, Capt. 

A sea serpent in 

6934 
Haywarp, W. H. 

Capture of Calosoma sycophanta near 

Penzance, 7290 
Hearty, CHARLES 

Larva of Taleporia pseudo-bomby- 
cella carnivorous, 7059, 7155; 
Larva of Diplodoma marginepunc- 
tella carnivorous, 7155 

Hetuins, Rev. J. 

Deilephila lineata, 7059 
HEYDEN, Carb VON 

Carpocapsa Reaumurana, 7155 
Hopextnson, J: B. 

The genus Dicranura, or the Kittens, 
7108 

Hormann, Herr 

Discovery of the food-plant of Nemo- 

tois scabiosellus, 7216 
Hoean, Rev. A. R. 

Localities of Sylvia Luscinia, 7105 ; 
Telephorus rusticus,’7110; A ques- 
tion for physiologists, 7220 

Hoge, Joun, M.A., F.B.S. 

Account of a species of Phalangista 
recently killed in the county of Dur- 
ham, 6953 

Hotpswortn, EF. W. H., F.LS. 

The stoat in winter dress, 6913; On 
the transverse fission of Aiptasia 
Couchii, 6945; Situation of Pyr- 
goma anglicum, 7111 

Horne, C. 

Note on the rate of speed of flight of 

a butterfly, 7280 
Horton, Rev. E, .M.A. 

Notes on the economy of Lepidoptera, 

6901; Use of the albatross, 6981 


the Bermudas, 


Vill 


Hussey, Rev. Artuur, M.A. 

What is the use of the oil-gland at the 
base of the tail of birds? 7049 ; 
Parturition of bears, 7102; A tame 
cuckoo, 7104; British Cyclamen, 
7112; Tree sparrows, Migration of 
and trade in goldfinches, 7143 ; 
Copy of bird-catcher’s statement, 
7144 

Hussry, Henry 

Wood pigeons in Paris, Wild fowl in 
the London ornamental waters, 
6922 ; The wild-fowler, 6923 

Hutcurinson, MattrHew 

Dates of arrival of migratory birds, 
~e,, 76982 
IncHBALD, PETER 

Curious preservation of human eyes, 
7273 

JENNER, EpwaRD 

Vanessa Antiopa in Wakehurst Wood, 

6900 
Jones, J. Matuew, F.L.S. 

An account of the Bermudian riband 

fish, 6986 
Krnanan, J. R., M.D., F.L.S., M.R.I.A. 

Black redstart and whinchat in De- 
cember, near Dublin, 6808; Re- 
marks on the winter visits to the 
British Isles of European summer 
migrants, 6957 

Kwnaaes, H. G., M.D. 

Clostera anachoreta iu the “ Home 

Counties,” 6904 
Knox, A. E., M.A., F.L.S. 

On the habits of the blackwinged stilt 
as observed on its occurrence in 
Sussex, 6979 

MacGI.uivray, JoHN 

Zoological notes from Aneiteum, New 

Hebrides, 7133 
Macuin, WILLIAM 

Description of the larva and pupa of 

Sarrothripa Revayana, 7005 
Macteop, Serina Hume 

The sea anemones of Dawlish, Devon, 

7295 
MatTHEw, GervaseE F. 

Creamcoloured courser at Braunton 
Burrows, 6980; Habits of Bledius 
tricornis, 7217 

Matruews, Rev. A., M.A. 

Notes on the British Trichopterygide, 
with descriptions of some new 
species, 7063 - 

Maw, Georcgs, F.LS. 

Presence of a powerful colouring matter 
in Mercurialis perennis, 7032 ; Ob- 
servations on local museums, 7113 ; 


On the natural affinities of Lastrea 
Thelypteris, 7165 
M‘Curnvtock, Sir F. J., F.LS. 
The great auk, 6981 
M‘Lacnian, R. 

Food-plant of Eupithecia pallidaria, 
6944; A tom tit in difficulties, 
7274 

Means, R. H. 

Gossip on spiders, 7146 
ME .prvo, T. 

Dicranura bicuspis, 7153 
MILLER, CHARLES 

Foreigners and doubtful British species, 
6818; A list of Micro-Lepidoptera 
of which the transformations are 
unknown, 7005 

Micner, Sir W. M. E., Bart. 

Sparrow owl in Yorkshire, 7104 

Mirtrorp, Ropert 

Occurrence of a rare bat, the barbastelle, 
in the neighbourhood of London, 
6953 

Mors, A. G. F.LS. 

Rare birds recently observed in the 
Isle of Wight, 6849, 6892; The 
arctic tern nesting on fresh water, 
6891; Deilephila lineata in the 
Isle of Wight, 7107; Calosoma 
Sycophanta in the Isle of Wight, 
7157 

Movnot, H. 

Proceedings of Natural History col- 

lectors in foreign countries, 7033 
Newman, Fpwarp, F.L.S. 

Greenfinch and linnet mule, 6889 ; 
Description of the larva and pupa of 
Endromis versicolor, 6900; The 
snake stone, 6983; Note on an 
ophioid fish, lately taken in the island 
of Bermuda, which appears to be 
new to Science, 6989; British He- 
miptera—a few words on them not 
in scientific language, 7019; Re- 
markable monstrosity in the beak of 
a sparrow, 7051; Reappearance in 
profusion of LErastria venustula, 
Ophiodes lunaris at West Wickham, 
7108; Laccophilus variegatus in the 
South of England, 7110; Abundant 
occurrence of Sesia Musceformis 
near Torquay,7153; Musical fishes 
of the East, 7179; Pupe of Sphinx 
Convolvuli, 7249; Description of 
the larva of Rumia crategata, De- 
scription of the larva of Eurymene 
dolobraria, Description of the larva 
of Selenia illunaria, Description of 
the larva of Selenia lunaria, Descrip- 
tion of the larva of Selenia illustraria, 


7250; Description of the larva of 
Melanippe hastata, Description of 
the larva of M. tristata, Description 
of the larva of M. procellata, 7252 ; 
Description of the larva of M. unan- 
gulata, Description of the larva of 
M. rivata, 7253; Description of the 
larva of M. subtristata, 7254: De- 
scription of the larva of M. mon-: 
tanata, 7255; Description of the 
larva of M. galiata, Description of 
the larva of M. fluctuata, Description 
of the larva of Platypteryx falcula, 
7256 ; Description of the larva of 
Diecranura vinula, Description of 
the larva of Stauropus Fagi, 7257 ; 
Description of the larva of Clostera 
reclusa, Description of the larva 
of Ptilodontis palpina, Description 
of the larva of Notodonta camelina, 
7258; Description of the larva of 
N. dicteaa, Description of the larva 
of N. dicteaoides, Description of the 
larva of N. Dromedarius, 7259; 
Description of the larva of N. Zic- 
zac, Description of the larva of N. 
dodoneza, 7260; Captain Taylor's 
sea serpent, 7278; Description of 
the larva of Thyatira derasa, De- 
scription of the larva of Ceropacha 
flavicornis, 7284; Description of the 
larva of Acronycta tridens, Descrip- 
tion of the larva of A. Psi, 7285; 
Description of the larva of A. lepor- 
ina, Description of the larva of A. 
Ligustri, Description of the larva of 
A. Rumicis, Description of the larva 
of Mamestra Persicarie, 7286; De- 
scription of the larva of Agrotis pre- 
cox, Description of the larva of 
Trachea piniperda, Description of 
the larva of Orthosia instabilis, De- 
scription of the larva of Teniocampa 
gracilis, 7287 ; Description of the 
Jarva of Hoporina croceago, De- 
_ scription of the larva of Dianthecia 
capsincola, Description of the larva 
_ of Euplexia lucipara, Description of 
the larva of Hadena oleracea, 7288 ; 
Description of the larva of Hadena 
contigua, Description of the larva of 
H. Pisi, Description of the larva of 
Xylocampa lithorhiza, Description 
‘of the larva of Erastria venustula, 
Description of the larva of Abrostola 
Urtice, 7289; Description of the 
larva of Abrostola triplasia, 7290 
| Newnan, Col. H. W. 
_ Alpine ac entornear Cheltenham, and 
_ the glossy ibis in Svmersetshire, 


6889 ; Notes on the more common 
species of the genus Bombus, 7013 ; 
The hybernation of wasps, 7019 ; 
Scarcity of Hymenoptera in 1860, 
7156 
Newnuam, Rev. P. H., M.A. 
Escaped canary breeding, 7143 
Newrovn, Atrrep, M.A., F.L.S., &c. 
Note on the supposed occurrence of the 
Hirundo bicolor of- North America 
in England, 7145; Suggestions for 
forming collections of birds’ eggs, 
7189 
Nicuo.ts, H. jun. 
Richardson’s skua at Kingsbridge, 
7106 
Norman, Rev. Atrrep Mertz, M.A. 
The Mollusca of the Firth of Clyde, 
7202, 7238 
Osxpurn, W. 
Notes on the mountain birds of Ja- 
maica, 6833, 6873, 6925 
Parritt, EpwarpD 
Monograph of Tenthredinide much 
wanted, Description of a new species 
of Hemerobius, 7024; Food-plant 
of Gicophora tripuncta, 7060; Note 
on Brachycentrus subnubilus of 
Curtis, 7068; Note on Hydrontila 
pulchricomis and- H. _ tineoides, 
7111; On the transformation of 
Lymnophleus marmoratus, 7158 ; 
A mole taking to the water, 7169; 
Snipes in summer, 7172 
Pascog, Francis P., F.L.S., &c. 
A list of the described Longicornia of 
Australia, 6824 
PracH, CHaRLEs WILLIAM 
Chrysomela marginalis found on the 
mainland of Caithness, N.B., 7063 
PENNEY, WILLIAM 
Forktailed petrel at Poole, Capture of 
the globe fish in the Solent Water, 
6892 
Pickarp, Rev. H. Apair 
Capture of Gonepteryx Rhamni var. 
Cleopatra, 7214 
-PickarD-CAMBRIDGE, Rev. O., B.A. 
Supplement to a note on the Arach- 
nida of Dorset and Hants, 6862 ; 
List of Southport spiders, with some 
remarks on uniformity of use and 
meaning of words in Natural 
History, 6893 
Prant, F. 
Capture of Tropideres sepicola, 7218 
Porter, Joun, jun. 
Agrotera nemoralis in Sussex, 7154 
Reapine, J. J. 
Note on the habits, &c., of Diasem 


b 


literalis as observed near Plymouth, 
7260; Critical notes on and diag- 
nostic characters of the new British 
Sesia of 1860, 7280 
Ricwarpson, Sir Joun, C.B., F.R.S. 
Sea bullhead at Montrose, Singular 
account of the sail fluke, 6993 
Roserts, ALFRED 
Rare birds at Scarborough, 6807 ; 
Osprey at Sherburne, 7104 
Roserts, CHARLES 
Capture of Acronycta Alni at sugar, 
7154 
Rozsertson, WILLIAM 
Distance swum by red deer, 6913 
Rosson, Joun E. 
Description of the larva of Xylophasia 
lithoxylea, 7260 
Ropp, Epwarp HEARLE 
Sport at the Scilly Isles, 6807 ; 
Alpine swift in Cornwall, 6808 ; 
Wood warbler near Penzance, and 
note on the migratory warblers, 
7050; Buffbreasted sandpiper near 
the Land’s End, Red Phalarope at 
Scilly, 7236 
Rocers, HENRY 
Coral waxbill in the Isle of Wight, 
6890 
Ross, F. W. L. 
Larus ichthyaétus, a new British gull, 
in Devonshire, 6860 
Roxsy, H.S. 
' Capture of Cheerocampa Celerio at 
Wakefield, 7249 


Rys, E. C. 
Rhynchites Betuleti, 7157; Bagous 
nodulosus in Hammersmith 


Marshes, 7266 
Satter, James, F.L.S. 
The new British rat, 7232 
SanpwitH, HumpHrey 
On the-habits of the aye-aye of Mada- 
gascar, 7044 
Sane, JoHn 
Larva of Asthenia coniferana, 7155 
SaviL_e, 8. P. 

Great ashcoloured shrike in Cambridge- 
shire, Disappearance of swallows 
and martins, 6808; Note ona variety 
of the chaffinch, and on a coot found 
in an odd situation, 6890; Great 
mortality amongst woodcocks, A 
kittiwake gull driven inland by the 
terrific gales, 6982; The common 
bat flying at mid-day, 7102; Com- 
mon tern shot during the late gale, 
7106; Late stay of the fieldfare, 
7143; Whimbrel in Cambridge- 

_ shire, 7146; Instinct of the common 


partridge, 7201; Capture of a stur- 
geon in fresh water, 7202 
ScorT, JoHN 

Ants’ nests and their inhabitants, 7024 ; 
Observations on Coleophora melilo- 
tella, 7155; Capture of Hallomenus 
fuscus near Lee, 7217, 7266 ; Cap- 
ture of Mycetophagus multipunc- 
tatus near Lee, 7217 

Sianey, Wititam Henry, F.LS. 

Eccentricities in the habits of foxes, 

7096 
Situ, FREDERICK 

A revision of the synonymy of the 
British species of the genus Bombus 
of Latreille, 7073; Hymenoptera in 
repose, 7156; On the musical 
powers of the British species of the 
genus Acalles, 7217; Is Diachromus 
germanus an indigenous insect, 
7290; Capture of Dinarda dentata 
at Weybridge, 7291 

SoMERVILLE, ALEXANDER 

A glimpse of Mull and its Fauna, 

7055 
Srainton, H. T. 

Companion larve, 6902; Food-plant 
of Cécophora tripuneta—correction 
of an error, 7109 

Stevenson, HENry 

Stray notes from the Devonshire 
coast, 6973 ; Ornithological occur- 
rences in Norfolk, 6806; Ornitho- 
logical notes from Norfolk: unusual 
number of  hawfinches, 6921 ; 
Hawfinch breeding in Norfolk, 7171 

Stewart, R. M. 

- Deilephila lineata, 7059; Reappear- 
ance of Leucania putrescens at Tor- 
quay, 7216 

Stone, S., F.S.A., &c., 

Facts connected with the history of a 
wasp’s nest, with observations on 
Ripiphorus paradoxus, 6832, 6905 ; 
Hymenoptera in repose, 7156; 
Hints to bug collectors, 7157; Ves- 
pide in 1860, 7261; Capture of 
Vel-eius dilatatus in a nest of hor- 
nets, 7291 

StowE tt, Rev. Hueu, M.A. 

Natural History versus Geography and 
others—a plea in a great cause, 7185 

SwitnnHoe, Rosert, F.L.S. 

Wild swans on the coast of China, 
6923 ; Birds of Amoy, 7102 

Tayter, E. A. W. 

Natural-History Notes from Bengal, 
7274 

Tayzor, A.S. 
Notes on the queleli—a rare bird of 


Sonora, the king of the zopilotes, 
and Bartram’s vulture, 6798 
Taytor, G.C. 
Account of a visit to a nesting-place 
of the frigate-bird, 6981 
Taytor, WILLIAM 
The great sea serpent, 6985 
Tearte, Rev. F. 

Capture of Cheerocampa Celerio at 

Matlock, 7249 
THorNcRorT, THomas 

Capture of Deilephila lineata at 
Brighton, 7059 ; Capture of Acro- 
nycta Alni at Holme Bush, 7108 

Tristram, Rev. H. B. 

Return of a hooded crow to a walled 
garden in which it had been con- 
fined, 7105 

Twinn, Georce R. 

Capercally breeding in 

7235 


Scotland, 


xi 


Wal es, G. 
Rhododendrons and_ their enemies, 
6831; The hybernation of Vespa 
vulgaris, 6941 
Watuace, A. R. 
Note on the sexual differences in the 
genus Lomaptera, 6938 
WarTeERTON, CuHarzes, F.L.S., &c. 
The oil-gland in birds, 7103 
WesstTeErR, W. 
What is Falco Forskalii? 6889 
Wittiams, D. 
Gray Phalarope at Swansea, 6891 
Witson, W. 
Roughlegged buzzard at King’s Lynn, 
6889 
WintTeER, WILLIAM 
Toads falling in a shower of rain, 
7146; Toads waiting for moths 
attracted by sugar, 7201; Capture 
of Sphinx Celerio at Beccles, 7249 


ALFHABETICAL LIST OF SUBJECTS. 


Abrostola triplasia, description of the 
larva of, 7290 
3% Urtice, description of the larva 
of, 7289 
Acalles, genus, on the musical powers of 
the British species of, 7217 
Accentor, alpine, near Cheltenham, 6889 
Accentor alpinus, 6889 
Acherontia Atropos near Banff, 7152. 
Achroia grisella, description of the larva 
and pupa of, 7260 
Acidalia imitaria, 7000 
»  iornata, description of the larva 
of, 7215 
»,  scutulata, description of the larva 
of, 7251 
Acmea testudinalis, 7204 
“ _virginea, zd. 
Acronycta Alni at Holme Bush, 7108; 
capture of at sugar, 7154 
- 5, _leporina, description of the 
~ Jarva of, 7286 
- Ligustri, description of the 
larva of, id. 
34 Psi, description of the larva 
of, 7285 
»  Rumicis, description of the 
larva of, 7286 


Acronycta tridens, description of the larva 
of, 7285 
Actinia Mesembryanthemum with three 
mouths, 7026 
Adder, female, swallowing her young, 
7278 
Adela cuprella, 7007 
» Tufimitrella, zd. 
»  Sulzella, zd. 
»  Viridella, id. 
Adeorbis subcarinatus, 7207 
Adis nitidissima, 7211 
» unica, zd. 
Aigirus punctilucens, 7242 
Aiolidide, 7243 
ZKolis alba, id. 
» amethystina, 7244 
»  aurantiaca, 7243 
3 coronata, id. 
» Drummondii, zd. 
» glottensis, 7244 
»  Landsburgi, 7243 
» lineata, zd. 
»  Olivacea, id. 
»  Ppapillosa, zd. 
»  rufibranchiata, zd. 
» smaragdina, id. 
»  Viridis, 7244 


Xl 


Agapostemon tricolor, 7091 
Agelenide, 6896 
Agrias Hewitsonius, 6942 
» Pericles, 6943 
»  sardanapalus, zd. 
Agrotera nemoralis in Sussex, 7154 
Agrotis Ripe, 6999 
»  precox, description of the larva 
of, 7287 
Aiptasia Couchii, on the transverse fission 
of, 6911, 6945 
Akera bullata, 7241 
Albatross, use of the, 6981 
Alea alle, 6971 
» impennis, 6883 
» torda, 6795, 6971 
Alcedo ispida, 6841, 6978 
Ammophila luctuosa, 7089 
$5 urnaria, id. 
Amphisphyra hyalina, 7241 
Amphydasis betularia, 7000 
Anas acuta, 6969 
» americana, 6970 
» boschas, 6969 
» clangula, 6970 
», clypeata, 6969 
»  erecca, 6970 
»  fuligula, zd. 
» glacialis, zd. 
» Marila, zd. 
» Penelope, id. 
» querquedula, zd. 
» strepera, 6969 
» _tadorna, zd. 
Anecdote of a robin, 7143 
Anchomenus livens in Lincolushire, 7109 
Andrena nubecula, 7091 
»  parallelus, zd. 
4». Variaus, a. 
»  Vviridula, id. 
Andrenide, 7091 
Aneiteum, on the fishes of, 7138 
Anemones, sea, of Dawlish, Devon, 7295 
Angerona prunaria, 7000 
‘Animal Physiology,’ 7072 
Animals, list of, observed on Pratas 
Island, 7236 
Antenne of insects, on the functions of, 
6898 
Ant-eater, African, 7234 
Anthicus bimaculatus, 6937 
Anthus obscurus, 6798 
Ants, mineralogical, 7071 
Ants’ nests and their 
7024 
Apathus rnpestris, 7013 
Apis mellifica, 7093, 7094 
Aplysia hybrida, 7242 
Aplysiade, id. 
Aporrhais Pes-Pelecaui, 7211 


inhabitants, 


Arachnida of Dorset and Hants, supple- 
ment to a note-on, 6862 

Araneidea, 7d. 

Ardea cinerea, 6846 
»  epretta, 6847 
» purpurea, zd. 
», - Stellaris 7d. 

Argonaut, on the habits of the, 7213 

Argynnis Lathonia, 6900 

Argyresthia, 7011 

Asthenia coniferana, larva of, 7155 

Asycbna modestella, 7012 

Auk, little, 6858, 6972; in Orkney, 6812 ; 
great, 6883, 6981 

Auriculide, 7244 

Auxochlora lucidula, 7091 

Avi-Fauna of Europe, indigenous and 
occasional visitors to the, 7170 

Avocet, 6848 

Aye-aye of Madagascar, on the habits of 
the, 7044 

Badister peltatus in Lincolnshire, 7109 

Bagous nodulosus in Hammersmith 
Marshes, 7266 

Barbastellus Daubentonii, 6953 

Bat, rare, in the neighbourhood of Lon- 
don, 6953 ; common, flying at mid- 
day, 7102; flying in the sunshine, ¢d. 

Batrachians and fishes, unusual modes 
of gestation, in, 7173 

Bears, birth of two at the Zoological 
Gardens, Regent’s Park, 6913; birth 
of three at Clifton Zoological Gardens, 
7048 ; parturition of, 7102 

Bee-eater, 6854 

Bees’ cells, hexagonal form of, 7292 

Bees, natural cross breeding in, 7164 

Bernicle, 6856 

Bird, sun, 6976; skua pirate, 6977 

Birds, notes on, observed in Hereford- 
shire, 6805; rare, at Scarborough, 
6807 ; rare, at Eastbourne, Sussex, zd. 
mountain, of Jamaica, notes on, 6833, 
6873, 6925; of Banffshire, a list of, 
accompanied with anecdotes, 6841, 
6964 ; rare, recently observed in the 
Isle of Wight, 6849, 6892; observed 
betweev New York and Glasgow, 6977 ; 
migratory, dates of arrival of, 6982 5 
what is the use of the oil-gland at the 
base of the tail of, 7049; of Amoy, 
7102; oil-gland in, 7103; summer, 
arrival of, 7104; migration of, 
7188 

Birds’ eggs, suggestions for forming col- 
lections of, 7189 

Bittern, 6847; little, near Taunton, 
7274 

Bledius tricornis, habits of, 7217 

Bolitobius inclinans, 7070 


i a 


xill 


Bombus, notes on the more common spe- 
cies of the genus, 7013; a revision of 
the synonymy of the British species of 
the genus, 7073 

Bombus Cullumanus, 7078 

3  Derhamellus, 7014, 7077 
»  €latus, 7093 

»  fervidus, id. 

»  fragrans, 7077 

»  Hortorum, 7015, 7082 

» ~ lapidarius, 7014, 7082 

»,  lapponicus, 7077 

»  Latreillellus, 7083 

»  Lucorum, 7017, 7081 

»  Muscorum, 7015, 7075 


3  Niivalis, 7079 - 


E ornatus, 7093 
»  Pratorum, 7078 
»  senilis, 7076 
»  Skrimshiranus, 7079 
»  Smithianus, 7076 
-y)  soroensis, 7080 
»  sublerraneus, 7013, 7083 
»»  Sylvarum, 7077 - 
3 terrestris, 7016, 7081 
»  terricola, 7093 
4)  -Vagans, id, 
Bombyx Quercus and the variety B. Cal- 
- lune of Palmer, remarks on, 6815 
Brachonyx indigena, 7161 
Brachycentrus subnubilus of Curtis, note 
on, 7068 
Bradyepetes amataria, 7001 
Brambling, 6853 
Buccinum undatum, 7239 
Bug collectors, hints to, 7157 
Bug, gold, a reminiscence of Rio, 
7219 
Bulla Cranchii, 7241 
Bullhead, sea, at Montrose, 6993 
Bullide, 7241 
Bunting, snow, 6853 
Butterfly, note of flight on the rate of 
speed of a, 7280 
‘Butterfly number of Young England,’ 
7030 
Buzzard, roughlegged, at King’s Lynn, 
6889 
Buzzards, 6850 
Cecum glabrum, 7210 
» Trachea, 7211 
Celioxys, 7092. 
Calidris arenaria, 6846 
Calosoma Sycophanta in the Isle of 
Wight,7157; capture of near Penzance, 
7290 
Calyptreade, 7205 . 
Camplogramma fluviata, 7003 
‘Canadian Naturalist and Geologist,’ 
7072 


Canary, escaped, breeding, 7143 
Cancillariade, 7239 
Capercally breeding in Scotland, 7235 
Caprimulgus europeus, 6843, 6977 
Carabi, capture of in Manchuria, 
7061 
Caradrina cubicularis, larva of, in wheat- 
ricks, 6817; larve of, 7154 
Carbo cormoranus, 6973 
»  cristatus, 2d. 
Carp, common, note on the piscivorous 
propensities of, 7052 
Carpenter, William, ‘Animal Physiology,’ 
7072 
Carpocapsa Reaumurana, 7155 
‘Catalogue of the Lepidopterous Insects 
in the Museum of Natural History at 
the East India House,’ 7225 
Caterpillars, poisonous, 7071 
Cerambycide, 6825 
Cerambyx aureipennis, 6830 
Ceratina dupla, 7092 
Cerceris deserta, 7090 
Cerethiade, 7211 
Cerethiopsis tubercnlaris, 7239 
Cerethium adversum, 7211 
As reticulatum, id. 
Ceropacha flavicornis, description of the 
larva of, 7284 
Certhia familiaris, 6891 
Cheerocampa Celerio, capture of at Dar- 
lington, 7249; at Matlock, id.; at 
Nottingham, id.; at Wakefield, id. 
= Elpenor, 6997 
Chaffinch, note on a variety of, 6890 
Charadrius hiaticula, 6845 
+9 morinellus, id. 
a plavialis, id. 
Chelaria Hubnerella, 7010 
Chemnitzia clathrata, 7212 
“= exitnia, id. 
7 indistincta, 7211 
iS tufescens, id. 
Chickens, kestrel feeding, 7170 
Child attacked by an eagle, 7142 
Chiton Asellus, 7203 
» cinereus, id. 
»  fascicularis, zd. 
x9... WEVIS, 2d. 
»  marmoreus, id. 
» Tuber, id. 
Chitonide, 7203 
Chough, 6853 
Chrysalis, expansion of the wings in 
Lepidoptera on emerging from the, 
7159 
Chrysomela marginalis found on the 
Mainland of Caithness, N.B., 7063 
Cidaria corylata, 7004 
»  picata, zd, 


XIV 


Cidaria pyraliata, 7004 ; description of 
the larva of, 7252 

Cilix spinula, 6998 

Cimbex deciin-maculata, 7085 
4 femorata, 7084 

Cinclus aquaticus, 6797’ 

Ciniflo ferox, 6864 

Ciniflonide, 6864, 6896 

Clevodora cytisella, 7010 


Clostera  anachoreta in the “ Home 
Counties,’ 6904 
* reclusa, description of the larva 


of, 7258 

Coati-mundi, note on the partiality of 
for tobacco, 6873 

Coleophora melilotella, 7155 

i vibicella, zd. 

Collections of birds’ eggs, suggestions for 
forming, 7189 

Colletes inequalis, 7091 

Columba livia, 6843 


a palumbus, zd. 
“a turtur, zd. 
Colymbus arcticus, 6971 
a glacialis, id. 
es septentrionalis, ¢d. 


Companion larve, 6902 

Condors of the Pampas, king of the, 
6802 

Conide, 7240 

Conovulus bidentatus, 7244 

rm denticulatus, zd. 

Conus textile, on a poisonous property 
attributed to, 7136 

Coot, 6968 

Coot found in an odd situation, 6890 

Courser, creamcoloured, at Braunton 
Burrows, 6980 

Cormorant, 6973 

Corycia temerata, 7001 

Cossus ligniperda, 6997 

Crabro interruptus, 7090 
»  singularis, zd. 
» vagus, id, 

Crabronide, zd. 

Crake, little, 6968 

Creeper, attachment of to its nest and 
eggs, 6891 

Crossbill, 6853 

Crow, hooded, 6853; return of to a 
walled garden in which it had been 
confined, 7105 

Crustacea casting off their legs, 7054 

Cryphalus Abietis, 6937 

» . Fagi, 6905, 6937 

Cryptochitons, a day among, 7054 

Cryptus P 7087 

Cuckoo, tame, 7104 

Cuculinz, 7091 

Curlew, 6847; stone, 6854 


Cursorius Isabellinus, 6980 
Cyciamen, question as to the species of 
the British, 6952; British, 7112 
Cygnus minor, 2, 6925 
3, 6924 


” 39 
Cylichna cylindracea, 7241 
a mamillata, id. 
Ma obtusa, id. 
- truncata, id. 
a umbilicata, id. 


Cyprza europea, 7240 
Cypreada, id. 
Cypselus alpinus, 6808 
PA apus, 6842 
Dasychira pudibunda, early appearance 
of, 6900 
Dasygastre, 7092 
Deer and horse, hybrid between, 7048 
Deer, red, distance swum by, 6913 
Deilephila lineata, 7059; in the Isle of 
Wight, 7107; at Brighton, zd. 
Dendronotus arborescens, 7243 
Dentaliade, 7205 
Dentalium entalis, zd. 
Depressaria Douglasella, 7009 


5 granulosella, zd. 
ES ultimella, food of the larva 
of, 6905 


Dermaster Blaptoides, capture of in 
Japan, 7060 
Devonshire coast, stray notes from the, 
6793 
Diacbromus germanus, capture of at 
Hastings, 6905 ; is it an indigenous 
insect, 7290 
Dianthecia carpophaga, 6999 
es capsincola, description of the 
larva of, 7288 
Diasemia Cucubali, 6999 
s literalis, note on the habits of, 
as observed near Plymouth, 7260 
Dicranocephalus Wallachii, capture of in 
the Korea, 7062 
Dicranura, the genus, 7108 
Dicranura bicuspis, 7153 
a vinula, 6998 ; description of 
the larva of, 7257 
Dinarda dentata, capture of at Wey- 
bridge, 7291 
Diplodoma marginepunctella, 
larva of carnivorous, 7155 
Dipthera Orion, larva of, 7284 
Diver, blackthroated, 6857, 7971; great 
northern, 6971; redthroated, zd. 
Doridide, 7242 
Doris aspersa, id. 
», Dilamellata, zd. 
» flammea, zd. 
», Johnstoni, id. 
»» planata, td. 


7006 ; 


XV 


Doris tuberculata, 7242 

Dosithea eburnata near Conway, 7251 

Doto coronata, 7243 
» fragilis, id. 

Dotterell, 6845, 6854 

Double-broodedness, 6866 ; of Fidonia 
conspicuata, 6902 

Dove, ring, 6843; rock, 6843, 6854 ; 
turtle, zd. 

Diasside, 6863, 6896 

Drassus clavator, 6863 
rs lapidicolens, zd. 
ts pumilus, zd. 

Duck, eider, 6857; tufted, td.; pintail, 
6969 ; wild, id.; longtailed, 6970; 
scaup, id.; tufted, zd. 

Duckbill, notes on the, 6915 

Dugong, the valuable medicinal proper- 
ties of its oil in consumption and 
various diseases, 7166 

Dunlin, 6966 

Eagle, 6849; whitetailed, near East- 
bourne, 6888; and wolf, 7142; child 
attacked by, zd. 

Egg-blowing implements, description of 
7193 

Ezgs and nest of creeper, 6891 

Eggs, preparation of specimens of, 7196 

Elachista gangabella, 7070 

Elachys, 7066 

Eledone cirrhosus, 7244 

Elephants’ tusks, fossil, new mode of pre- 
serving, 6913 _ 

Elysia viridis, 7244 

Elysiade, id. 

Emarginula crassa, 7206 

th reticulata, id. 

Embletonia pulchra, 7244 

Endromis versicolor, description of the 
larva and pupa of, 6900 

Entomological Society, proceedings. of, 
6828, 6869, 6935, 7027, 7069, 7093, 
7151, 7160, 7220, 7267, 7293 

Entomological terms, 6944 

Epeiride, 6898 

Ephestia pinguedinella, 7156 

RE semirufa, 7162 

Erastria venustula, reappearance in pro- 
fusion of, 7108; description of the 
larva of, 7289 

Estrella astrild, 6890 

Eubolia cervinata, 7004 

Eulima bilineata, 7211 

»  distorta, id. 
»  nitida, zd. 
»  polita, zd. 

Eulimella Scilla, 7213 

Eupithecia, drawings of the genus, 6817 

Eupithecia abbreviata, description of the 
larva of, 7251 


Eupithecia assimilata, description of a 

variety of the Jarva of, 7107 

ee castigata, description of the 
larva of, 6904 

_ expallidata bred from the gol- 
den-rod, &c., 7005; description of the 
larva of, 7107 

mm helveticata, description of the 
larva of, 7215; in Buckinghamshire, 
7251 

linariata, description of the 
larva of, 6817 

e minutata, description of the 
larva of, 6904 

” nanata, 
larva of, 6868 

y pallidaria, food-plant of, 6944 


description of the 


i pumilata, 7002; description 
of the larva of, 7152 

* rectangulata, description of 
the larva of, 7107 

- rufifasciata, food-plant of the 
larva of, 7153 

By satyrata, description of the 
larva of, 7215 

Se subfulvata, description of the 
larva of, 6817 

bl subumbrata, description of 
the larva of, 7216 

e tenuiata, description of the 


larva of, 6868; note on the pupation 
of, 7251 
Eupithecia, larve of desired, 6944 
Euplexia lucipara, description of. the 
larva of, 7288 
Eurymene dolobraria, description of the 
larva of, 7250 
Evaniade, 7086 
Exeretia Allisella, 7008; bred, 7154 
Eyes, human, curious preservation of,7273 
Falcon, peregrine, near Eastbourne, 6889 
Falco albicilla, 6888 
» Forskalii, 6889 
» halizétus, 6889, 7104 
» lagopus, 6889 
» peregrinus, zd. 
Fauna of Mull, 7055; British, Physa, 
new to, 7278 
Fidonia conspicuata, on the double-brood 
question, 6902; some notes on, 6903 
Fieldfare, late stay of, 7143 
Finch, serin, in England, 7105 
Fish, globe, capture of in the Solent 
Water, 6892; Bermudian riband, 
6986 ; note on an ophioid, lately taken 
in the Island of Bermuda, which ap- 
pears to be new to Science, 6989 ; pipe, 
note on, 7052; singing, 7237, 7238 
Fishes, pipe, on some structural pecu- 
liarities in, 6813 ; of Aneiteum, 7138 ; 


and Batrachians, unusual modes of 
gestation in, 7173; musical, of the 
East, 7179 

Fissurella reticulata, 7206 

Fissurellide, id. 

Fluke, sail, singular account:of, 6993 

Flycatcher, pied, 6851 

Foreigners, and doubtful British species, 
6818 

Formica fusca, 7089 

»  herculanea, 7088 
» nigra, 7089 

Formicide, '7088 

Fowl, wild, in the London ornamental 
waters, 6922, 7049 

Foxes, eccentricities in the habits of, 
7096 

Frigate-bird, visit to a nesting-place of, 
6981 

Fringilla cannabina and F. chloris, cross 
between, 6889 

celebs, 6890 

5» Serina, 7105 

Fulica atra, 6890, 6968 

Fusus antiquus, 7239 

islandicus, id. 

» norvegicus, zd, 

Gadwall, 6857, 6969 

Gallinula crex, 6967 

chloropus, 6968 

9 pusilla, 2d. 

Gannet, 6973, 6978 

Garganey, 6970 

Gelechia, 7009 

Glyphipteryx, 70L1 

Goatsucker, 6977 

Godwit, bartailed, 6848, 6856; black- 
tailed, 6848 

Goldeneye, 6970 

Goldfinches, migration of and trade in, 
7143 ; additional particulars, 7144 ; 
copy of bird-catcher’s statement, 2d. 

Gonepteryx Rhamni var. Cleopatra, cap- 
ture of, 7214 

Goniodoris castanea, 7242 

- nodosa, zd. 

Goosander, 6971 

Goose, Canada, 6857 

Grebe, crested, 6797 ; eared, 6857, 6971 ; 
greatcrested, 6857, 6971; rednecked, 
ad.; little, 6971 

Greenfinch and linnet mule, 6889 

Greenshank, 6848, 6855 

Grouse, black, 6844 ; red, zd. 

Guillemot, 6795, 6977, 6978; black, 
6857, 6971; ringed, 7d.; Brunnich’s, 
6971; common, zd. 

Gull, common, 6793, 6974; great black- 
backed, 6794, 6974; lesser blackbacked, 
id.; blackheaded, 6795, 6974; glau- 


9 


39 


9 


XVl 


cous, in Orkney, 6813; lesser black- 
backed, 6858; little, 6858, 69745 (a 
new British, in Devonshire, 6860 ; 
glaucous, 6974; herring, id.; Iceland, 
ad.; ivory, id.; masked, id.; Sabine’s 
id.; whitewinged, 6977; blackheaded, 
note on the carnivorous propensities of, 
7106 
Gymnetrus, 6986 
Hadena contigua, 
larva of, 7289 
» oleracea, description of the larva 
of, 7288 
5s Pisi, description of the larva of, 
7289 
Hematopus ostralegus, 6846 
Hallomeuus fuscus, capture of near Lee, 
7217; correction of an error respecting, 
7266 
Haltica Atrope, capture of in Britain, 
7266 
Haploglossa rufipennis, 6937 
Harriers, 6850 
Hawfinch, 6853 ; breeding in Norfolk, 
7171 
Hawfinches, unusual number of, 6921 
Hedgesparrow fascinated by a snake, 
7273 
Helix aspersa, reversed specimen of, 
6892 
Hemerobius, description of a new species 
of, 7024 
Hemerophila abruptaria, 7000 
Hemiptera, British —a few words on 
them not in scientific language, 
7019 
Heron, 6846; great white, 6847; purple, 
id.; Squacco, 6855 
Himantopus melanopterus, 6979 
Hirundo americana, 6975 
F bicolor of North America, note 
on the supposed occurrence of in Eng- 
land, 7145 
es riparia, 6842 


description of the 


a rustica, id. 
> urbica, id. 
‘Honey Bee—its Natural History, 


Habits, Anatomy and Microscopical 
Beauties, 7231 

Hoporina croceago, description of the 
larva of, 7288 

Horse and deer, hybrid between, 7048 

Horsfield, Thomas, F.R.S., and Frederic 
Moore, ‘A Catalogue of the Lepidop- 
terous Insects in the Museum of 
Natural History at the East India 
House,’ 7225 

Hybrid between horse and deer, 7048 

Hydroptila pulchricornis and H. tine- 
oides, note on, 7111 


<_—— 


XVli 


Hylobius Abietis, ravages of, 7271 
Hymenoptera, Canadian, rough notes on, 
7084 ; in repose, 7156; scarcity of in 
1860, id. 
Hypercallia Christiernana, 7010 
Tanthina communis, 7207 
Tanthinide, id. 
Ibis falcinellus, 6847, 6889 
Ibis. glossy, 6847; in Somersetshire, 
6889 
‘ Ibis, a Magazine of General Ornitho- 
logy, 6946, 7183 
Ichneumon Brevicinctor, 7087 
oR Centrator, 7086 
Ichneumonida, id. 
Insect, leaf, description of a new species 
of, 7141 
Insects, on the functions of the antennez 
of, 6898 
Jabiru, notes on the habits of, 6880 
Jackdaws, the two, 6920 
Jeffreysia diaphana, 7210 
bs opalina, zd. 
Jones, John Mathew, ‘ The Naturalist in 
Bermuda, 7030 
‘Journal of the Proceedings of the Lin- 
nean Society, 7224 
Kestrel, 6850; feeding chickens, 7170 
King of the zopilotes, 6801, 6804; of the 
vultures, or of the condors of the Pam- 
pas, 6802 
Kingfisher, 6841, 6854 ; on the nidifica- 
tion of the, 6978 
Kittens, the, 7108 © 
_Kittiwake, 6794, 6858, 6974, 6978, 
6982 
Knot, 6856, 6964 
Laccophilus variegatus in the South of 
England, 7110 
Lacuna pallidula, 7207 
»  puteolus, id. 
»  vincta, 7208 
Lamiidz, 6827 
Lamillaria perspicua, 7238 
ay tentaculata, 7239 
Lampronota P 7087 
Lanius excubitor, 6807, 6808, 7235 
Lapwing, 6845 
Larentia olivata, 7001 
»  pectinitaria, zd. 
Larus argentatus, 6974 
»  canus, 6793, 6974 
»  Ccapistratus, 6974 
»  eburveus, zd. 
» fuscus, zd. 
» glaucus, 6813, 6974 
» icthyaetus in Devonshire, 6860 
»  leucopterus, 6974, 6977, 
» Marinus, 6974 ; G 
» minutus, id, 


Larus ridibundus, 6795, 6974, 7106 
» . Sabini, 6974 
»  tridactylus, 
6982 

Larva of Eupithecia linariata, 6817 ; of 
E. subfulvata, td.; of Caradrina cubi- 
cularis in wheat-ricks, ¢d.; of Sphinx 
Convolvuli, 6818; of Eupithecia na- 
nata, 6868; of E. tenuiata, zd.; of 
Eudromis versicolor, 6900; of Eupi- 
thecia castigata, 6904; of E. minutata, 
ad.; of Depressaria ultimella, 6906 ; of 
Sarrothripa Revayana, 7005 ; of Tale- 
poria pseudo-bombycella carnivorous, 
7059, 7155 ; of Eupithecia rectangu- 
lata, 7107; of a variety of E. assimi- 
lata, id.; of E. expallidata, id.; of E. 
pumilata, 7152; of E. rufifasciata, 
7153; of Teniocampa Populeti, 7154 ; 
of Diplodoma marginepunctella carni- 
vorous, 7155; of Asthenia coniferana, 
ad.; of Acidalia inornata, 7215; of 
Eupithecia helveticata, id.; of E. saty- 
rata, 7d.; of E. subumbrata, 7216; of 
Rumia crategata, 7250 ; of Eurymene 
dolobraria, 2d. ; of Selene illunaria, zd. ; 
of S. illustraria, id.; of S. lunaria, zd. ; 
of Acidalia scutulata, 7251; of Eupi- 
thecia abbreviata, id.; of Cidaria 
pyraliata, 7252 ; of Melanippe hastata, 
id.; of M. procellata, id.; of M. tris- 
tata, id.; of M. rivata, 7253; of M. 
unangulata, zd.; of M. subtristata, 
7254; of M. montanata, 7255; of M. 
fluctuata, 7256; of M. galiata, id.; of 
Platypteryx falcula, ¢d.; of Dicraunra 
vinula, 7257; of Stauropus Fagi, id.; 
of Clostera reclusa, 7258 ; of Ptilodontis 
palpina, zd.; of Notodonta camelina, 
ad.; of N. dictewa, 7259; of N. dictz- 
oides, zd.; of N. Dromedarius, zd.; of 
N. dodonza, 7260; of N. Ziczac, zd. ; 
of Achroia grisella, id.; of Xylophasia 
lithoxylea, 7d.; of Ceropacha flavi- 
cornis, 7284; of Diphthera Orion, id. ; 
of Thyatira derasa, id.; of Acronycta 
Psi, 7285; of A. tridens, id.; of A. 
leporina, 7286; of A. Ligustri, id. 
of A. Rumicis, id.; of Mamestra_ 
Persicariz, id.; of Agrotis precox, 
7287; of Orthosia instabilis, zd.; of 
Tezniocampa gracilis, id.; of Trachea 
piniperda, id.; of Dianthecia capsin- 
cola, 7288; of Euplexia lucipara, id. ; 
of Hadena oleracea, id.; of Hoporina 
croceago, id.; of Hrastria venustula, 
7289 ; of Hadena contigua, zd.; of H. 
Pisi, id. ; of Xylocampa lithorhiza, zd. ; 
of Abrostola Urtice, td.; of A. tri- 
plasia, 7290 


6794, 6974, 6978, 


C 


XVill 


Larve, companion, 6902; Lepidopterous, 
observations on rearing, 6995 ; of Cara- 
drina cubicularis, 7154 

Lastrea Thelypteris, on the natural affin- 
ties of, 7165 

bathyais tuberosus at Fyfield, Essex, 
id. 

Lepidoptera, notes on the economy of, 
6901; diurnal, diagnoses of three new 
species of belonging to the genus 
Agrias and of one belonging to Side- 
rone, 6942; Expansion of the wings 
in, on emerging from the chrysalis, 
7159 

Lestris catarractes, 6974, 6977 
9 _ parasitica, 6977 

_.»,.. Richardsonii, 6974, 7106 

Leucania putrescens, reappearance of at 
Torquay, 7216 

Limacinide, 7203 

Limapontia nigra, 7244 

Limapontiada, id. 

Limosa melanura, 6848 

POU, oe 
Linnet and ereenfinch mule, 6889 
Linyphia Fenella, 6865 
Rs gracilis, id. 
a vivax, 6864 
Linyphiide, 6864, 6897 
Littorina littorea, 7207 
» __littoralis, id. 


a neritvides, id 
“ patula, id. 

Pa rudis, td. 

~ saxatilis, id. 


tenebrosa, id. 
Littorinide, id. 
Lizard, common, abundance of in Ireland, 
7172 
Loligo media, 7244 
Lomaptera, note. on the sexual differences 
in the genus, 6938 
Lomonotus P7243 
es flavidus, zd. 
Longicornia of Australia, list of the de- 
scribed, 6824 
Lycena Acis, reported occurrence of in 
Epping Forest, 7249 
Lycosa nivalis, 6862 
Lycoside, 6862, 6895 
Lymnopbleus marmoratus, on the trans- 
formation of, 7158 
Lyonsia norvegica, 7245 
Machetes pugnax, 6848 
Macroglossa Stellatarum, habits of, 7153 
Magpie nesting in confinement, 6920 
Mamestra Persicatie, description of the 
larva of, 7286 
Mangelia attenuata, 7240 
z costata, zd. 


Mangelia gracilis, 7240 
> Lefroyi, id. 


A linearis, id: 
7 nebula, zd. 

ea purpurea, zd. 
pe rufa, zd. 

s striolata, zd. 
Be teres, id. 


“3 Trevelliana, id. 
turricola, id. 

Mantis, notes on the habits of a species 
of, found at the Cape of Good Hope, 
7272 

Marginella levis, 7241 

Martin, 6842 ; sand, id. 

Martins, disappearance of, 6808; late 
stay of, id.; near Christmas, 6891 

Megachile acuta, 7092 

. melanopheza, zd. 

Melanippe fluctuata, 7003; description 

of the larva of, 7256 


= galiata, description of the 
larva of, 7256 
7 hastata, description of the 


larva of, 7252 
montanata, description of the 
larva of, 7255 
a procellata, 7002; description 
of the larva of, 7252 
* rivata, description of the larva 


nd subtristata, description of the 
larva of, 7254 
33 tristata, description ‘of the 
larva of, 7252 
Ee unangulata, 7002; descrip- 
tion of the larva of, 7253 
Melanthia ocellata, 7002 
Melissodes denticulata, 7093 
% rufo-dentatus, id. 

Mercurialis perennis, presence of a 
powerful colouring matter in, '7032 

Merganser, redbreasted, 6857, 6971; 
hooded, 6971 

Mergus cucullatus, 6971 

» merganser, id. 
3 _‘Serrator, id. 

Merrifield, Mrs., ‘A Sketch of the Natural 
History of Brighton and its Vicinity,’ 
7029 

Micro-Lepidoptera, a list of, of which the 
transformations are unknown, 7005: 

Micropteryx, 7008 

Mole taking to the water, 7169 

Molgula P7245 

Mollusca of the Firth of Clyde, 7202, 
7238 

Moorhen, 6968 

Mooruk, notes on the, 6809 

Mormon fratercula, 6971 - 


x1X 


Motacilla Yarrellii, 6798 

Moths attracted by sugar, toads waiting 
for, 7201 

Mule, greenfinch and linnet, 6889 

Mull and its Fauna, a glimpse of, 7055 

Murex erinaceus, 7239 

Muricide, id. 

Mus Alexandrinus, 7232 

Museums, local, observations on, 7113 

Mycetophagus multipunctatus, capture 
of near Lee, 7217 

Mycetoporus lucidus, 7070 

Nassa incrassata, 7239 
» reticulata, zd. 

Natica monilifera, 7238 
» Montagui, id. 
»  Nhiitida, zd. 
»  sordida, zd. 

Naticide, zd. , 

Natural-History collectors in foreign 
countries, proceedings of, 7033 

Natural- History notes from Bengal, 
7274 

‘ Natural History of the Tineina,’ 7029, 
7232 ; 

Natural History versus Geography and 
others—a plea in a great cause, 7185 
Natural History, some remarks on uni- 

formity of use and meaning of words 
in, 6893 
‘ Naturalist in Bermuda,’ 7030 
Nematus , 7085 
Nemophora Schwarziella, 7007 
Nemotois cupriacellus, 7008 
»  fasciellus, id. 
a minimellus, zd. 
a scabiosella, zd. 
»  scabiosellus, discovery of the 
food-plant of, 7216 
Neriene agrestis, 6865 
» _ apicata, id, 
» fusca, zd. 
» gracilis, id. 
»  Vigilax, td. 
Nest, wasp’s, facts connected with the 
history of, 6832, 6905; of green wood- 
pecker, 6890; and eggs of creeper, 
6891; robins and titmice reared in one, 
7171; of hornets, capture of Velleius 
dilatatus in, 7291 
Nests, ants’, and their inhabitants, 7024 
Nesting of arctic tern on fresh water, 
. 6891; of magpie in confinement, 6920 
Newman, Edward, ‘Yound England: 
the Butterfly Namber, 7030 
Nightjar, 6843 
Nomada, 7091 
. Nonagria, supposed new species of, 7269 
Nonagria Bondii, 7271 
»  Typhe, 6999 


Notes, stray, from the Devonshire coast, 
6793 ; on birds observed in Hereford- 
shire, 6805 ; on the mooruk, 6809 ; on 
the mountain birds of Jamaica, 6833, 
6873, 6925; of the third capture of 
Scymuus borealis off the Scottish coast, 
6861 ; on the habits of the jabiru, 6880; 
on a variety of the chaffinch and on a 
coot found in an odd situation, 6890 ; 
on the economy of Lepidoptera, 6901 ; 
on Fidonia conspicuata, 6903; on the 
duckbill, 6915; ornithological, from 
Norfolk, 6921 ; on the more common 
species of the genus Bombus, 7013; 
on the British Trichopterygide, with 
descriptions of some new species, 7063 ; 
on Canadian Hymenoptera, 7084; 
zoological, from Aneitenm, New He- 
brides, 7133 ; on the habits of a species 
of Mantis found at the Cape of Good 
Hope, 7272; Natural-History, from 
Bengal, 7274; critical, on the new 
British Sesia, 7280 

Notodonta camelina, 6998; description 
of the larva of, '7258 

ie dicta, description of the 
larva of, 7259 
i dictzoides, description of the 
larva of, id. 
rs dodonza, description of the 
larva of, 7260 : 
f Dromedarius, description of 
the larva of, 7259 
is Ziczac, description of the 
larva of, ‘7260 
Nucifraga caryocatactes, 6809 
Numenius arquata, 6847 
‘ phzopus, 6847, 7146 

Nutcracker at Wisbech, 6809 

Ochsenheimeria bisontella, 7006 

Octonoculina, 6895 

Octopodide, 7244 

Octopus vulgaris at Babbicombe, 6861 

Odostomia albella, 7212 

“i conoidea, zd. 

et cylindrica, zd. 

= decussata, 7213 
nt eulimoides, 7212 


a excavata, 7213 

i interstincta, 7212 
- plicata, zd. 

es rissoides, id. 

a spiralis, zd. 


+ turrita, zd. 
as unidentata, id. 
(Ecophora, 7010 
(Ecophora tripuncta, food-plant of, 7060 
7109 4 
Oil-gland in birds, 7103 
Opatrums and sand, 7062 


xX 


Ophiodes lunaris at West Wickham, 7108 
Oriole, golden, 6851 
Ornithological occurrences in Norfolk, 
6806 ; notes from Norfolk, 6921 
Orthosia instabilis, description of the 
larva of, 7287 
Osmia P 7092 
»,  Ssimillima, zd. 
Osprey, 6850; in Derbyshire, 6889; at 
Sherburne, 7104 
Ostrich in Europe, 7235 
Otina Otis, 7213 
Ouzel, water, 6797; ring, 6851 
Ovula acuminata, 7241 
Owl, longeared, 6851 ; tawny, id.; spar- 
row, in Yorkshire, 7104 
Oxycephala imperialis, 6870 
Oxylaemus cylindricus, 6938 
Oystercatcher, 6846 
Pachygnatha Clerckii, 6865 
Pancalia Latreillella, 7010 
» Leuwenhoekella, id. 
Partridge, 6844; redlegged, 6854; com- 
mon, instinct of, 7201 
Parus palustris, 6891 
Pastor, rosecoloured, 6853 
Patella athletica, 7203 
» pellucida, 7204 
» vulgata, 7203 
Patellide, id. 
Pelecinus Polycerator, 7086 
Pelopzus ceruleus, 7089 
s flavipes, 7090 
Perdix cinerea, 6844 
»  coturnix, 6845 
Pericallia syringaria, 7000 
Petre), forktailed, 6859; at Poole, 6892 ; 
Fulmar, 6974; storm, 6975; Wilson’s 
storm, 6977; description of a new spe- 
cies of, 7133 
Phalacrocorax graculus, 6795 
Phalangista, account of a species of re- 
cently killed in the county of Durham, 
6953 
Phalarope, gray, 6856, 6968 ; in Orkney, 
6812; at Swansea, 6891; rednecked, 
6968 ; red, at Scilly, 7236 
Phalaropus hyperboreus, 6968 
33 platyrhynchus, 6812, 6891, 
6968 
Phasianus colchicus, 6844 
Pheasant, id. 
Philene aperta, 7241 
» Catena, id. 
»  punctata, zd. 
»  scabra, 7242 
Philonthus fuscus, 6938 
Pholas candida, 7246 
Phronina atlantica, on the habits of, 
7279 


Physa new to the British Fauna, dis- 
covery near London of a, 7278 

Physalia pelagica at Torquay, 7295 

Physiologists, a question for, 7220 

Picus viridis, 6890 

Pigeons, wood, in Paris, 6922 

Pileopsis hungaricus, 7205 

Pilidium fulvum, 7204 

Pimpla ? 7087 

Pipit, rock, 6798, 6853; tree, 6852 

Piramidigs of Jamaica, note on, 6976 

Platalea leucorodia, 6847 

Platydema violaceum, 6938 

Platypteryx falcula, description of the 
larva of, 7256 

Pleurobranchide, 7242 

Pleurobranchus 


? id. 
as Plumula, id. 
Plover, golden, 6845; gray, 6845, 6854 ; 
ringed, 6845 
Podiceps auritus, 6971 
»  cristatus, 6797, 6971 
» minor, 6971 
»  rubricollis, id. 
Polistes pallipes, 7091 
Polycera ocellata, 7242 
» quadrilineata, zd. 
Pompilide, 7089 
Pompilus ? id. 
45 atramentarius, 2d. 
a niger, id. 
Prionide, 6824 
Prisopus Carlotta, 7141 
Procellaria glacialis, 6974 
: torquata, 7133 
Propilidium alcyloide, 7205 
Ptarmigan, 6844 
Ptenidium picipes, 7067 
Pteropus Geddiei, a new species, descrip- 
tion of, 7134 
Ptilium brevicolle, 7066 
>»  cxsum, 7067 
»  saxonicum, id. 
Ptilodontis palpina, descripjion of the 
larva of, 7258 
Puffin, 6971; northern, 6858 
Puffinus major, 6975 
»  obscurus, zd. 
Puncturella noachina, 7206 
Pupa of Endromis versicolor, 6900; of 
Sarrothripa Revayana, 7005 ; of Achroa 
grisella, 7260 
Pupe of Sphinx Convolvuli, 7249 
Purpura lapillus, 7239 
Pyramidellide, 7211 
Pyrgoma, a parasitic Cirripede, note on, 
6994 ; situation of, 7054 i 
Pyrgoma anglicum, 7111 
Quail, 6845, 6854 
Quedius truncicola, 6937 - 


Xxi 


Queleli, a rare bird of Sonora, 6798 
Rabbit apparently fascinated by a stoat, 
273 

Rail, water, 6856, 6968 ; land, 6967 

Rallus aquaticus, 6968 

Rat, new British, 7232 

Razorbill, 6795, 6971 

Recurvirostra avocetta, 6848 

Redpole, 6853 

Redshank, 6847, 6855 

Redstart in December, near Dublin, 6808; 
black, 6851 

Regalecus Jonesii, 6992 

Regulus, firecrested, 6852 

Rhagonita elongata, 7161 

Rhododendrons and their enemies, 6831 

Rhopalodontus perforatus, 7161 

Rhynchites Betuleti, 7157 

Rhyssa Lunator, 7087 

Ripiphorus paradoxus, observations on, 
6832, 6905 

Rissoa abyssicola? 7208 
»  Beanii, id. 

»  Calathus, id. 

»  cingellus, 7209 

»  costata, 7208 

»  costulata, 7209 

»  crenulata, 7208 
»  fulgida, 7209 

»»  Goodallii, zd. 

»  inconspicua, id. 
»  labiosa, id. 

9 parva, id. 

»  punctura, 7208 

»» rubra, 7209 

rufilabrum, id. 

semistriata, id. 

soluta, 7210 

striata, 7208 

striatula, id. 

tenuis, 7209 

Ulve, 7210 

»  zetlandica, 7208 

Robin, anecdote of a, 7143 

Robins and titmice reared in one nest, 
7171 

Rorqual, great, of the Indian Ocean, 
with notices of other cetals, 7117 

Ruff, 6848 

Rumia crategata, description of the larva 
of, 7250 

Runcina Hancocki, 7244 

Salticide, 6862, 6895 

Salticus floricola, 6862 

»  Teticulatus, id. 

Samuelson, James, ‘The Honey Bee— 
its Natural History, Habits, Anatomy 
and Microscopical Beauties, 7231 

Sanderling, 6846, 6855 

Sandpiper, common, 6848, 6859; green, 


6855; curlew, 6856, 6964; purple; 
6966 ; ashcoloured, 6978 ; buff breasted, 
near the Land’s. End, 7236 

Sarcoramphus sacer, 6803 

Sarrothripa Revayana, larva and pupa of? 
7005 

Scalaria communis, 7211 

»  Lurtonis, zd. 

Scalariade, 7211 

Scaphander lignarius, 7241 

Scilly Isles, sport at the, 6807 

Sclater, Philip Lutley, M.A., ‘ The Ibis,’ 
a Magazine of General Ornithology, 
6946, 7183 

Scolopax gallinago, 6848 

»  gallinula, 5849 
»  Tusticola, 6848, 6982 

Scopulipedes, 7093 

Scoter, surf, near Scarborough, 7274 

Scoters, great flocks of in July, 7172 

Scymnus borealis off the Scottish coast, 
6861 

Sea serpent, 7051; in the Bermudas, 
6934 ; great, 6985; Captain Taylor's, 
7278 

Sea serpents, on the probable origin of 
some, 7237 

Selenia illunaria, description of the larva 
of, 7250 

» _ illustraria, description of the larva 
of, id. 

» _ lunaria, description of the larva 
of, id. 

Sepia officinalis, 7244 

Sepiada, zd. 

Sesia, the new British, critical notes on 
and diagnostic characters of, 7280 

Sesia Musceformis ? abundant occur- 
rence of, near Torquay, 7153 
» Spheciformis in Sussex, 7249 
» Philanthiformis, 7282 

Shag, 6858, 6973; crested, 6795 

Shearwater, dusky, 6975 ; great, id. 

Shieldrake, common, 6969 

Shoveller, id. 

Shrike, great ash-coloured, in Aberdeen- 
shire, 6807; in Cambridgeshire, 6808 ; 
great gray, at Forres, N.B., 6860 ; ash- 
coloured, capture of at sea, 7235 

Siderone Mars, 6943 

Sirex albicornis, 7085 
» cyaneus, zd, 

» dimidiatus, zd. 

» flavicornis, zd. 
Sisyphus in Manchuria, 7219 
Skenea costulata, 7210 

9  divisa, zd. 

nilidissima, zd, 

»  Planorbis, zd, 

»  svota, 4d. 


XXH 


‘Sketch of the Natural History of 
Brighton and its Vicinity, 7029 
Skua, common, 6858, 6974; Richard- 
son’s, 6859, 6974; parasitic, 6977; 
Richardson’s, at Eastbourne, 7106 ; at 
Kingsbridge, zd. 
Smerinthus Tiliz, 6997 
Smew, 6857 
Snake stone, 6983 
Snake, hedgesparrow fascinated by, 7273 
Snipe, common, 6848 ; jack, 6849 
Snipes in summer, 7172 
Sparrow, tree, 6853; remarkable mon- 
strosity in the beak of a, 7051 
Sparrows, tree, 7143 
Species, doubtful British and foreigners, 
6818 
Sphecodes ephippia, 7091 
Sphegide, 7089 
Sphingide, remarks on the occurrence of 
rarer British, 7095 
Sphinx Celerio, capture of at Beccles, 
7249 
» Convolvuli, imago and larva of, 
6818; pupe of, 7249 
Spiders, Southport, list of, 6893; gossip 
on, 7146 
Spirialis Flemingii, 7203 
Spoonbill, 6847, 6855 
Sport at the Scilly Isles, 6807 
Stainton, H. T., ‘ The Natural History 
of the Tineina, 7029, 7232 
Stauropis Fagi, description of the larva 
of, 7257 
Stelis ? 7092 
Sterna arctica, 6891, 6973 
»  cantiaca, 6973 
»  Dougallii, id. 
»  Hirundo, 6973, 6977, 7106 
3»  minuta, 6973 
nigra, 6974 
Stilt, blackwinged, 6856 ; on the habits 
of, as observed in Sussex, 6979 
Stint, little, 6964 ; Temminck’s, 6966 
Stoat, in its winter garb, at Selborne, 
6912; in Suffolk, 6913; rabbit appa- 
rently fascinated by, 7273 
Strepsilas interpres, 6846 
Sturgeon, capture of in fresh water, 7202 
Sula alba, 6978 
» bassana, 6973 
Summer migrants, European, remarks 
on the winter visits of to the British 
Isles, 6957 
Swallow, 6842; barn, of Jamaica, note 
on, 6975 
Swallows, disappearance of, 6808 
Swans, wild, on the coast of China, 6923 
Swift, 6842 ; alpine, in Cornwall, 6808 
Sylvia cenanthe, 6798 


Sylvia Luscinia, localities of,.7105 
»  Tubetra, 6808 
ny MILBYS, td. 
Syngnathidw, note on the, 7052 
Syrenia or marine pachyderms, notices 
of, 7117 
Teniocampa gracilis, description of the 
larva of, 7287 
Populeti, description of the 
larva of, 7154 
Taleporia. pseudo-bombycella, larva of, 
carnivorous, 7059, 7155 
Tapes pullastra, 7245 
Teal, 6970 
Telephorus rusticus, 7110 
Telmessus serratus, on the capture of in 
Manchuria, 7214 
Tenthredinide, 7084 ; 
much wanted, 7024 
Tern, arctic, 6858, 6973; black, 6858, 
6974; common, 6858, 6973; -lesser 
id, ; Sandwich, id. ; arctic, nesting on 
fresh water, 6891 ; roseate, 6973 ; 
great, 6977 ; common, shot during the 
late gale, 7106 
Tetrao exoticus, 6844 
35 lagopus, id. 
»  tetrix, id. 
Teuthide, 7244 
Thalassidroma Leachii, 6892, 6975 
Wilsoni, 6977 
Theridiide, 6864, 6897 
Theridion carolinum, 6864 


Monograph of 


a pallens, id. 
os pictum, zd. 
5 riparium, id. 
*, signatum, id. 


variegatum, id. 
Thomiside, 6863, 6896 
Thomisus audax, 6863 
x claveatus, zd. 
Thyatira derasa, description of the larva 
of, 7284 
Tinea ferruginella, 7007 
Titmouse, marsh, mode of feeding of 
6891 
Titmice and robins reared in one nest, 
7171 
Tmesisternus lotor, 6830 
Toads falling in a shower of rain, 7146 ; 
waiting for moths attracted by sugar, 
7201 
Tomicus monographus, 6938 
Tomtit in difficulties, 7274 
Tornatella fasciata, 7241 
Totanus calidris, 6847 
» glottis, 6848 
»»  bypoleucos, id. 
Trachea piniperda, description of the 
larva of, 7287 


XXlll 


Tremex Columba, 7086 
Trichodes hispidus in Leicestershire, 
7218 
Trichopterygide, British, notes on, with 
description of some new species, 7063 
Trichotropis borealis, 7239 
Tringa Canutus, 6964 
95 cinerea, 6978 
s  Maritima, 6966 
>»  Minuta, 6964 
»  Tufescens, 7236 
»  subarquata, 6964 
55 Temminckii, 6966 
»  variabilis, zd. 
Triopa claviger, 7242 
Tritonia plebeia, 7243 
Tritoniada, id. 
Trochidz, 7206 
Trochus alabastrum, id. 
5  Cinerarius, zd. 
» _-crassus, zd. 
»  eXiguus, id. 
»  helicinus, id. 
5 magus, zd. 
»  millegranus, zd. 
»  Montagui, zd. 
» . pusillus, 7207 
»  tumidus, 7206 
»  umbilicatus, id. 
» undulatus, zd. 
»  zizyphinus, zd. 
Trogus exesorius, 7087 
»  Obsidianator, id. 
Trophon bervicensis, 7239 
»  Clathratus, zd. 
Tropideres sepicola, capture of, 7218 
Truncatella Montagui, 7213 
Turdus pilaris, 7143 
Turnstone, 6846, 6855 
Turritella communis, 7210 
Turritellide, zd. 
Uria alle, 6812 
» Brunnichii, 6971 
» grylle, id. 
» lachrymans, 7d. 
» troile, 6795, 6971, 6977, 6978 
Vanellus cristatus, 6845 
= melanogaster, id. 
Vanessa Antiopa in Wakehurst Wood, 
6900 
Variety of the chaffinch, 6890 ; of Eupi- 
thecia assimilata, 7107; of E. expal- 
lidata, id.; of E. satyrata, 7215; of 
E. subumbrata, 7216 
Velleius dilatatus, capture of in a nest of 
hornets, 7291 
Velutina levigata, 7238 


Velutinide, 7238 
Vespa maculata, 7090 
» vulgaris, 7090 ; 
6941 
Vespertilio pipistrellus, 7102 
Vespide, 7090 ; in 1860, 7261 
Vulture, Bartram’s, 6803, 6804 
Vultures, king of the, 6802 
Wagtail, pied,6798 white, 6852 
Walckenaéra aggeris, 6865 


hybernation of, 


“5 fastigiata, zd. 
oH monoceros, id. 
re parallela, zd. 


Warbler, grasshopper, 68513; garden, 
6852 ; Dartford, id.; migratory, note 
on, 7050 ; wood, near Penzance, id. 

Wasps, hybernation of, 7019 

Wasp’s nest, facts connected with the 
history of a, 6832, 6905 

Waxbill, coral, in the Isle of Wight, 
6890 

Wheatear, 6798 

Whimbrel, 6847, 6855; in Cambridge- 
shire, 7146 

Whinchat in December, near Dublin, 
6808 

Whitethroat, lesser, 6852 

Wigeon, 6970; American, id. 

Wild-fowl in, the London ornamental 
waters, 6922, 7049 

Wild-fowler, the, 6923 

Winter, prognostication of an early and 
severe, 7274 

Wolf and eagle, 7142 

Woodchat, 6851 

Woodcock, 6848 

Woodcocks, great mortality amongst, 
6982 


Woodpecker, green, 6853 ; greater spot- 


ted or pied, id. ; green, nest of, 6890 

Woodsia alpina on the Breadalbane 
Mountains, 7031 

Wren, reed, 6852 ; wood, id. 

Xanthia ocellaris, 6869 

Xylocampa lithorhiza, description of the 
larva of, 7289 

Xylophasia lithoxylea, description of the 
larva of, 7260 

York Entomological Society, proceedings 
of, 6872 

Zoological Notes from Aneiteum, New 
Hebrides, 7113 

Zoological phenomena, 7187 

Zoology of the Pratas Shoal, a coral reef 
in the China Sea, 7236 

Zopilotes, king of the, 6801, 6804 


The ‘ZOOLOGIST’ will be continued both as a Monthly and an Annual Publication. 
As a Monthly, it will contain about forty pages’ of letter-press, occasionally accompanied 
with illustrations engraved on wood; will be on sale two days before the end of every 
month; and will be charged One Shilling. As an Annual, it will be sold on or about 
the Ist of December; will contain twelve Monthly Numbers, bound and lettered uniformly 
with the present Volume; and will be charged Thirteen Shillings. An Alphabetical List, 
both of Contributors and Contents, will be published once in the year. 


THH ZOOLOGIST 


FOR 1860. 


= 


Stray Notes from the Devonshire Coast. 
By Henry STEVENsoN, Esq. 


A new field of observation has ever its attractions for the naturalist, 
whether affording novelties for careful study or simply a repetition of 
familiar forms, whose habits, varying somewhat according to the nature 


,of the locality, have still fresh interest for the close observer. Such, 


atleast, was my experience last spring, during a short visit to Torquay 


_.and Teignmouth, and although, ornithologically speaking, that district 


afforded little that might not be found also on our Norfolk coast, yet 
even in the habits of some of the more common species, occasional 
peculiarities not seen elsewhere, struck me as worth recording in a few 
short notes. 

Gulls, divers and other sea birds, necessarily forming the chief objects 
of attraction in such localities, I will for once reverse the general order 
of things, and commence with the common gull. 

Common Gull (Larus canus). This species is here, as indeed on 
most parts of our coast, extremely numerous, and is met with at all 
times of the day on the river, being perhaps less of a sea gull than any 
of its tribe, especially in its habit of frequenting fields far inland, 
following the plough like rooks in search of worms and grubs. At 
low water these birds collect in large quantities along the course of 
the Teign, dispersing themselves in groups over the extensive sand- 
banks left bare by the tide, and freely mingling with théir sable com- 
panions from adjacent rookeries, carrion crows and jackdaws, crowd 
the waters edge in search of food. The stream at this time being too 
shallow for the passage of boats, they are but little disturbed in their 
researches, and from long habit are perfectly indifferent to the presence 
of certain cockle-hunting females, who as regularly follow up the 
retiring waters to rake the shell-fish from their sandy beds. Ona clear 

XVIII. B 


6794 Birds. 


sunny day the appearance of these birds, dotted like white specks as 
far as the eye can reach, some wading or pitching into the shallow 
water, others pacing up and down or fluttering onwards to fresh ground, 
their white breasts glistening in the sun, gives to the whole scene an 
amount of life and animation that cannot fail to strike even the most 
indifferent. At high water numbers of them are seen hovering over 
the harbour, searching for any refuse thrown over from the boats and 
vessels, or rounding the “Ness Point,” at the mouth of the river, in 
short flights out to sea; and, from their generally making up for this 
point as the sun goes down, I presume they roost amongst the neigh- 
bouring cliffs. The old birds up to the first week in April still carried 
more or less the gray markings on the head and neck peculiar to the 
winter plumage, but so varied in amount that scarcely two birds 
appeared alike. One or two young specimens also that I shot showed 
as much diversity of colouring, both above and below, in the gradual 
assumption of their dull dress. None of these had attained the scarlet 
eyelid, which gives so striking an appearance to the old birds, both of 
this and the kittiwake species, and the feet and legs were rather livid 
than green. The gape and whole inside of the mouth in the old bird 
is rich salmon-colour, but in the young dull green. 

Kittiwake Gull (Larus tridactylus). The first pair of this elegant 
species I saw hovering over Torbay, and I afterwards met with several 
at different times whilst at Teignmouth. These birds seemed to mix 
but little with the common gulls, and frequented rather the seaward 
side of the “ Bar” than the river, though probably wending their way 
upstream at low water. On the 25th of March I shot an old male and 
a young one just off the mouth of the river. The adult bird still 
carried a patch of gray on the hind neck, but was otherwise in full 
breeding plumage ; the eyelids bright scarlet. The young one was a 
true “ tarrock,” having the bars on the wings and lower part of the neck 
behind, as well as the tips of the tail feathers brownish black ; eyelids 
dark brown. 

Greater and Lesser Black Backs and Herring Gulls. Just after my 
arrival at Teignmouth, it blew a perfect gale from off the sea for a day 
or two, which drove the larger gulls in great numbers into the harbour. 
Fine old birds of both greater and lesser blackbacks passed and repassed 
the long bridge, lazily floating on their wide expanse of wing, their 
pure “black and white ” showing nobly in the sun. These, however, 
soon departed as the storm went down, and as soon almost as it was 
possible to take a boat up the river they had returned again to the 


| 


“bosom of the deep,” leaving only a straggler here and there amongst © 


Birds. 6795 


the younger birds. The herring gulls, both old and immature, continued 
to frequent the river at times, but the weather remaining calm the 
blackbacks, at least the adult birds, did not recross the “ Bar,” nor did 
I notice any, even out at sea. The thickness of the down and feathers 
as well as of the skin in these larger gulls is perfectly extraordinary, 
an ounce of number six, or even four, having little, if any, effect upon 
their natural armour, and it was not till I obtained some swan shot to 
mix with them that I succeeded in getting the specimens I required. 
On skinning a very fine young bird of the greater blackback, whose 
wing had been broken by one of the large pellets, I found some of the 
small shot literally rolled up in the down, never having entered the 
skin, and yet my gun, though a light one, shoots unusually sharp. 

Blackheaded Gull (Larus ridibundus). A pair of these birds passed 
high over head on two occasions, coming from inland along the course 
of the river, but I never saw them amongst the other species: they 
probably have a breeding-ground somewhere in the neighbourhood. 
With reference to gulls generally I may add, that I found a prevailing 
impression in the minds of the fishermen of this coast, that the small 
gulls were the young of the large ones, and that the large brown (or 
immature birds) were “ real old specimints” and parents of the great 
black and white ones. How far my explanations availed to correct 
these notions I cannot say, but they certainly received them with 
great doubt as to my veracity. 

Crested Shag (Phalacrocorax graculus). Numbers of these birds 
frequented the sand-banks on the river at low water, just after the gale 
I have mentioned, sitting in rows of five or six by the water’s edge, 
like soldiers “in rifle green,” making a singular contrast to the white 
breasts of the various gulls. Though at a distance looking as if 
nothing could disturb them they seemed to know exactly how near 
was consistent with safety, and never gave me the least chance of a 
shot. Specimens are, however, occasionally obtained by lying in 
ambuscade behind the river wall at certain spots that they chiefly 
frequent: these birds, like the larger gulls, left soon after the storm, and 
only one or two appeared afterwards, at times on the mud. 

Razorbill (Alca torda) and Guillemot (Uria troile). The razorbills 
were very plentiful off the coast, at times appearing within a stone’s 
throw of the beach, but generally most numerous in the early morning 
or on fine afternoons with a calm sea. At these times it was a pretty 
sight, with a good glass, to watch the various groups preening their 
feathers as they floated over the rippling surface of the water, stretching 
themselves up now and then with a flutter of their wings, or playing 


6796 Birds. 


that everlasting game of “heads and tails” that tries so sorely the 
skill and patience of the anxious sportsman. I generally found them 
in parties of three, consisting of two old birds and a young one, easily 
distinguished by its gray head, but occasionally lumps of eight or 
ten appeared, which separated as soon as ever chase was given. The 
extreme tenacity of life in these creatures, added to the great thickness 
of their skins and feathers, renders big shot indispensable; but even 
then it is doubtful when a “ wobble” (the classical name applied to 
this species on the Devonshire coast) may be fairly considered bagged. 
Sometimes a successful shot turns up a fine old bird, who floats 
motionless on the water till the boatman pulls leisurely up to him. 
You lean over the side to snatch your prize, when, holloa! “ Jack’s 
alive again,” and as your empty fingers close over the ripple, where his 
tail was last seen a gurgling croak comes back upon the ear with a sound 
not unlike “ Walker.” Lucky, indeed, if, after your consternation at 
such a scurvy trick, you ever get a second pop at your lively friend. 
Nor are they always yours though actually in hand, for I once picked 
one out of the water that I had just shot, and having no reason for 
doubting that he was what he seemed to be—quite dead—I laid him 
across one of the seats, on his back, by the side of the boat; I then 
began reloading and looking out for a fresh batch, when just as J had 
pointed out a likely lot to the fisherman, I heard a flutter, and on 
looking down was just in time to see the vanishing point of “ wobble’s” 
tail, as he left my care for ever. It is not generally difficult to obtain 
a first shot at these birds, but as soon as they become alarmed they 
commence diving most rapidly, keeping well together, coming up and 
going down with the most perfect precision. The longer the chase lasts 
the further they swim under water, coming up just to breathe, and 
showing at times only their beaks above water, and, as a last resource, 
they double back after diving and come up in quite another direction, 
where you least expected. At these times the shooting is anything 
but easy, from the violent motion of the boat, as the fisherman pulls 
with all his might after the birds, whilst a head and neck only presents 
a small mark to hit on the buoyant waves. Occasionally they dive 
after receiving the shot, and leave you with the impression of a decided 
“‘ miss,” when suddenly the bird floats up to the surface quite dead, 
having kept under water as long as life remained. The old birds at 
the end of March were in full plumage, the white line from the beak 
to the eye very distinct, the irides dark brown and the mouth inside 
rich yellow. The young birds of the previous year were still very 
gray on the sides of the head and round the throat, and the white line 


Birds. | 6797 


from the eye visible, but mixed with black; the beak, however, resembled 
the adults, having even the white groove quite perfect. I saw but very 
few guillemots, or “mairs” as they call them, and those generally 
single birds in the river or harbour, but never got a shot at one. I 
certainly expected to find more of them than of the razorbills. Once 
or twice off the coast one of the large divers also made its appearance, 
a young bird, but of which species I could not make out, as it kept at 
a most respectful distance. 

Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). I was somewhat surprised to 
find these birds not only in the tranquil waters of the bay at Torquay, 
but also out at sea, off the coast at Teignmouth. Always associating 
them with the still waters of our Norfolk broads, where they remain 
nearly all the year round, only making towards the sea when their 
usual haunts are closed by the ice, I had no idea that they could 
accommodate themselves so closely to the habits of the more strictly 
marine divers. On one occasion I saw a party of three, apparently an 
adult pair and a young bird, having no perceptible crest. The old 
male was a most splendid specimen, with about the finest crest I ever 
saw, and as I watched him, through the glass, between the intervals 
of diving, the silky whiteness of his neck and breast contrasting with 
the rich chesnut fringe, glistened in the sun as he rose and fell on the 
rippling waves. I.afterwards saw single birds, even in rough weather, 
diving into the large billows, or floating lightly over others, as much 
at home on the “troubled sea” as the guillemots or the razorbills. 
Whether it is usual or not to find this species on the Devonshire coast 
at this season (between March and April) I am not aware; Yarrell 
speaks of them as having been “ seen occasionally in Devon and Corn- 
wall,” which would imply that they are not very common at any time, 
but certainly the mildness of the weather afforded no clew as to their 
motive for preferring the “sea-side” in this instance to the quiet 
waters of the “ Teign.” 

Water Ouzel (Cinclus aquaticus). I had the pleasure of seeing this 
species for the first time in a wild state, being only a very rare visitant 
to the Eastern counties, but certainly in a locality where I least 
expected to meet with it. A single bird frequented the bathing cove 
at Torquay, where for several days I observed it flitting across the 
little bay, from one range of rocks to the other, flying low over the 
waves as they broke on the shingly beach, and perching every now 
and then on the huge stones that form the breakwater jutting out into 
the sea. I had not expected to find the water ouzel so near the coast, 
but certainly a more quiet, secluded spot could scarcely be found, 


6798 | Birds. 


and the waters of the bay seemed tame in comparison with the rapid 
streams of the north, where, amidst the foam and splash of the torrent, 
are the usual haunts of the dipper. . 

Rock Pipit (Anthus obscurus). This species in Devonshire appears 
to take the place of the meadow pipit on the Eastern coasts, frequenting 
the grassy slopes by the sea, and the rocks at low water left bare by 
the tide. Here they flit noiselessly from one weed-covered stone to 
another, searching the little hollows between for insect life, or, running 
along by the edge of the water, dart at the sand-flies as they rise from 
the beach. These birds are readily distinguished from the common 
titlark by their larger size, and the more sombre tint of their plumage. 
The note is also louder, and their manner of walking struck me as 
peculiar, for though so plentiful in this district I watched them with 
much interest, being so rarely seen in Norfolk, and then chiefly in 
winter. 

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla Yarrellii), Wheatears (Sylvia cenanthe), 
&c. The Denes at Teignmouth were a favourite resort for the pied 
wagtails, several pairs being seen at all times of the day, moving along 
the green, or chasing each other in rapid flights over the sand-banks 
to the beach below, but, although watching them very closely, I was 
unable to identify a single white wagtail (JZ. alba) amongst the number 
of the common species. On the morning of the 20th of March, a most 
undoubted arrival of migratory specimens appeared, the slopes in 
front of the sea being quite covered with them. So unusual was their 
appearance in such quantities, and so tame did they seem, that every 
one was stopping to look at them, but by the next day this flight had 
passed on, and only a few pairs, as usual, remained by the sea. The 
same thing also occurred a few days later with the first flight of wheat- 
ears, which remained for a day’s rest, and then, to a bird, disappeared 
on their way inland to spread themselves over the country. 


H. STEVENSON. 
Norwich, November 28, 1859. 


Notes on the Queleli, a rare Bird of Sonora; the King of the Zopi- 
lotes; and Bartram’s Vuliure. By A.S. Taytor, Esq.* 


The Queleli.—From the descriptions of three of our friends, we are 
placed in possession of some curious facts relating to the habits and 


* Written for the ‘San Francisco Herald, and sent by the Author for publication | 


in the ‘ Zoologist.’ 


: 
. 


Birds. 6799 


characteristics of this rare and highly curious bird, a member of the 
condor or sarcoramphus family of Dumeril, which we have not been 
able to find described or alluded to in any of the books on Natural 
History in our possession; and it may be that it is a species 
unknown to naturalists. 

An intelligent Sonoranian of Oquitoa, near Alta in Sonora, who 
resided in California several years, gave me the following facts, in 
relation to this curious bird. It inhabits particularly the Pimaria, Alta 
and Baja, the Papagoria, the Opataria, the Apacharia, and other Indian 
and little-known mountain districts of Sonora, Durango and Sinaloa 
to the East and South, and it is very rare even in these countries. It 
is called Queleli by the Papago Indians, who have a great veneration 
for it. Its weight is from eight to ten pounds. The beak is hard, 
short, and curved sharply down, its colour bright lemon, the iris of the 
eye pink or light red. On the crown of the head it has a fleshy 
caruncle, or comb, of black and white, which forms like a cravat, and 
also hangs on both sides of the head, and which is bare of feathers ; 
the skin of the chops or cheeks is mottled black and white; the neck- 
feathers are black, with a ring of white feathers below forming a ruff, 
like a circle of swan’s down on a lady’s tippet; the back is striped 
black and white lengthwise of the bird; the upper part of the wings 
is also striped with black and white; the ends of the wing-feathers 
are tipped with white; the tail-feathers are striped and tipped the 
same as the wings; the under surface of the wings is barred also in 
the same way; the wings measure from 12 to 18 inches long from the 


“joint at the body. The chest, belly and lower part of body are of 
- lemon-coloured feathers ; the legs and feet are also yellow, with four 


toes armed with black and very sharp claws. 

The female bird is of smaller size, the colour similar but more sub- 
dued. The eggs are reddish and mottled black, sharply peaked, and 
weigh about two ounces. They make their nests in the highest trees 
of the mountain sides and peaks, and always go in couples, never 
in flocks. When they rise from the ground they make a whirring, 
rushing noise, moving very fast; they are very rare throughout 
Sonora, as my informant states, and extremely difficult to take. They 
raise two young in a year, generally male and female. When young 
their plumage is yellow, black and white. The full-grown birds are 
about the size of the common Turkey buzzard. In six months the 
young begin to fly. The females lay their eggs in the spring. They 
are seen at times turning over and over in the air in quick motions, 
from whence the Indians have a superstition that they breed in the 


6800 Birds. 


air. The Indians also say that the male bird breaks the egg to let 
the chick out. 

They eat dead animals or those recently killed. The tongue is red, 
and has a spinous process on its under part, shaped like a pen, and 
said by the Indians to be used in making a loud whirring noise when 
it rises from the ground. They eat very fast, and all other carnivorous 
birds hold them in great fear. My informant aforesaid, who has 
travelled throughout Sonora and seen them in different localities, says 
they are most abundant in the Alta Pimeria, of which the Gadsden 
purchase forms a portion. 

But the most singular part of the bird, and that which makes it 
such a wonder among the Sonoranians, is that it appears to have four 
wings, or appendages, used for assisting flight, on each side of its 
body; that is, a pair of wings like those of other birds, each with 
three assistant wings or winglets joined to the main one, and folding 
under the main ones, and next to the body. 

An officer of the Revenue Service assured me, on two occasions, 
that he had seen this bird at Guaymas in Sonora, in 1854, in 
possession of Capt. Spence, Captain of the Port, that they were so 
scarce as to sell for fifty dollars a piece, and that, according to his 
recollection, my Sonoranian informant was in the main correct in his 
description of it. This latter informant was well known to me; he 
lived several years around Monterey, and left for Sonora in the latter 
part of 1857; his description was taken down by myself, at Monterey, 
in November and December, 1855, and, being confirmed by the officer 
before mentioned, who is an old acquaintance of mine, it seems to me 
there can be no doubt that the bird is a rara avis unknown to 
naturalists. 

A gentleman now living in Monterey, who is, like the writer, an 
amateur naturalist, assures me also that, in a voyage he made to 
Guaymas and the California-Gulf ports in the summer of 1854, he 
saw a bird of this kind in Guaymas, most likely the same one, in the 
possession of Captain Spence or some other foreigner there, but that 
it afterwards died, and, from its extreme rarity and beauty, was con- 
sidered a great loss, as it was brought from far in the interior. 

According to this informant, who read, a few days ago, the notes I 
had taken down in 1855, he can only remember the size, colour of the 
cheeks, and the singularity of the wings. The size is the same as I 
have stated, but the colour of the cheeks (which he thinks are 
feathered) was yellow. The number of the winglets was three on 
each side of the bird, and not four, as stated in my memoranda, 


Birds. 6801 


One of the winglets is attached to the main wing on the outside 
by a flexible joint, and the other winglet is attached to the under 
part of the main wing in the same manner. These extra wings are 
only seen when the bird opens its wings in rising, or when at a short 
distance from the ground; but when standing at rest they are folded 
so as not to be noticed. The under winglet, when flying, is extended 
beyond the main wing; but the upper winglet is smaller, more com- 
pact, and closer to the body; both of these winglets being opposite 
to the wing-joint of the body at the base of the neck. The bird he 
represents is as beautiful as it is curious, and, as all. three informants 
state, much sought after and highly prized in Sonora. It seems that 
only two or three specimens have ever been known to be captured, 
which may account for its not being mentioned in any of the books 
on hand in California. 

This bird may be taken by some readers as only a description of 
the Mexican small vulture, called the king of the zopilotes; or the 
small condors of the Laplata pampas, called the king of the vultures, 
or king of the condors ; or the Sarcoramphus sacer, or sacred vulture 
of Bartram. But, from the descriptions of these rare birds, which we 
give herewith for ready comparison, it will be seen that there are 
many points of material difference between them. 

King of the Zopilotes. “ The Cozcaquahtl is called, by the Mexi- 
cans of the city and valley of Mexico, the king of the zopilotes, or 
king of the Turkey buzzards ; and they say that when these two spe- 
cies happen to meet together over the same carrion, the zopilote 
which is found in all the climates of Mexico, never begins to eat till 
the other bird has tasted it. They are both mute, and sometimes fly 
together. The king of the zopilotes is larger than the zopilote, has a 
red head and red feet, with a beak of a deep red colour, except 
towards its extremity, which is white; it is much scarcer than the 
zopilote, and is peculiar to the warm climates alone. Its feathers are 
brown, except upon the neck and parts about the breast, which are of 
a reddish black.. The wings are of an ash-colour upon the inside, 
and upon the outside are variegated with black and tawny. Bomare 
says that the Aura (pronounced Owra, for the Turkey buzzard, by the 
Mexicans) is the Cosquath of New Spain, and the Tropilot of the 
Indians; so that Cozcaquahtl and Tropolotl are both native Mexican- 
Indian names for two different birds. But the bird which now goes 
by the name of the king of the zopilotes, in New Spain, seems diffe- 
rent from the one which we are describing. This is a strong bird, of 
the size of a common eagle, with stately air, strong claws, fine 

XVIII. ~ 


6802 Birds. 


piercing eyes, and a beautiful black, white and tawny plumage. It is 
particularly remarkable for a certain scarlet-coloured, fleshy sub- 
stance, which surrounds its neck like a collar, and comes over its 
head in the form of a little crown. 

“Thad this description of the bird from a person of knowledge and 
veracity, who assures me that he has seen three different individuals 
of this species, and particularly that one which was sent from Mexico 
in 1750, to the Catholic king, Ferdinand the Sixth. He further 
informs me that there was a genuine drawing of this bird published in 
a work called the ‘ American Gazetteer.’ The Mexican name Cozca- 
quahtl, which means ‘king eagle,’ is certainly more applicable to this 
bird than to the other. The figure in our Plate (p. 74) is copied from 
that of the ‘American Gazetteer.” (See Clavijero’s ‘ History of 
Mexico,’ 1790, Cullen’s translation, Philadelphia, 1804, vol. i. p. 65, 
and notes). 

On showing the engraving in Clavijero’s volume to my Sonoranian 
friend, he readily recognized it as the king of the zopilotes, which he . 
well knew; but it was not the Quilele condor, or vulture of Sonora. 

The King of the Vultures, or King of the Condors of the Pampas 
(V. Papa of Linneus). ‘“ This bird is larger than a male turkey; the 
skin of the head rises from the base of the bill, and is of an orange 
colour, from whence it stretches on each side of its head, from thence 
it proceeds like an indented comb, and falls on either side according 
to the motion of the head ; the eyes are surrounded by a red skin of 
a scarlet colour, and the iris has the colour and lustre of pearl. The 
head and neck are without feathers; they are covered with a flesh- 
coloured skin on the upper part, a fine scarlet behind the head, 
and a duskier-coloured skin before ; further down, behind the head, 
rises a little tuft of black down, from whence issues, and extends 
beneath the throat on each side, a wrinkled skin of a brownish colour 
mixed with blue, and reddish behind; below, upon the naked part of 
the neck, is a collar, formed of soft, longish feathers, of a deep ash 
colour, which surround the neck and cover the breast before. Into 
this collar the bird sometimes withdraws its whole neck, and some- 
times a part of its head; so that it looks as if it had withdrawn the 
neck from the body. These features of beauty suffice to distinguish 
this bird from others of the vulture tribe. With all its beauty, its 
food is the same as the others,—offal, rats, lizards and serpents,— 
and the flesh is entirely uneatable.” (See Oliver Goldsmith’s ‘ Animated 
Nature,’ vol. ii. p. 44, and fig. 1 of Plate 16, Whitlaw’s Glasgow edi- 
tion, 1840). 


Birds. 6803 


The Sarcoramphus sacer of Bartram, or Sacred Vulture. “'This 
bird was described by John Bartram, in his ‘ Travels in the Carolinas 
and Florida’ (Philadelphia, 1791), as abundant in Florida then, but 
has not been observed or identified anywhere since his time. This 
has tended to throw a doubt on its existence ; but recent information 
renders it probable that this, or at least a different one from the vul- 
tures just described, is found about Lake Okechobee, in Southern 
Florida, where it is called the king buzzard. The verification of this 
Statement by actual specimens would be one of the most important 
discoveries yet to be made in North American Ornithology. The fol- 
lowing is Bartram’s description : — ‘ Bill long, and straight almost to 
the point, where it is hooked or bent suddenly down, and sharp; the 
head and neck bare of feathers nearly down to the stomach, when the 
feathers begin to cover the skin, and soon become long and of a soft 
texture, forming a ruff or tippet, in which the bird, by contracting his 
neck, can hide that as well as his head; the bare skin of the neck 
_ appears loose and wrinkled, and is of a bright yellow colour inter- 
mixed with coral-red ; the hinder part of the neck is nearly covered 
with short, stiff hairs, and the skin of this part of the neck is of a deep 
purple colour, gradually becoming red as it approaches the yellow of 
the sides and fore part. The crown of the head is red; there are 
lobed lappets, of a reddish orange colour, which lay on the base of 
the upper mandible. The plumage of the bird is white or cream- 
colour, except the quill-feathers of the wings, and two or three rows 
of the coverts, which are beautiful dark brown; the tail, which is 
rather large and white, is tipped with this dark brown, or with black ; 
the legs and feet are of a clear white ; the eyes are encircled with a 
gold-coloured iris; the pupil is black.” ~©Vide Mr. John Cassin’s 
Notes on the Raptorial Birds, in vol. ix. p. 6, of the ‘ Pacific Railroad 
Reports,’ published by order of Congress (October, 1858), 1004 quarto 
pages, and altogether on the birds collected by the railroad and other 
Government expeditions since 1853. This volume, and the eighth 
volume of the same work on animals, were compiled by Prof. Spencer 
F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, and are as much a high honour 
to the Government which provided the materials, through its laborious 
and intelligent military and other officers, as they redound to the emi- 
nent learning, labour, assiduity and honourable name of Baird. But 
in nothing is Prof. Baird more original than in his plan of these two 
volumes,— in the fairness, equity, and justice of acknowledging every 
donor, benefactor or assistant, and in the perspicnity and simplicity 
of the language. We believe there are no two such books on Natural 


6804 Birds. 


History in the world, though they seem to us susceptible of great 
improvements in matter and plan, like every other old or new thing. 
The persons who assisted Baird, both Government and otherwise, 
certainly are placed in a more honourable and proper light than in 
any work of the kind, American or European, which has come under 
our notice. It is certainly a model to other savans and writers, Ame- 
rican and European, who have not been too often wont to make 
acknowledgments to California for what seemed to the uninitiated 
outsiders as their own original gatherings, their own original thoughts, 
abstracted: without acknowledgment, and put in so quietly that one 
could hardly recognize their own brain-work or handiwork. 


King of the Zopilotes, and Bartram’s Vulture. — Conversing 
recently on these two rare, curious and costly birds, with a friend 
who had resided im Florida several years, he says the descrip- 
tion by Bartram of the king buzzard, as quoted in vol. ix. of Rail. R. 
Reports, is correct. He has seen them several times around Lake 
Okinochobee, and other parts of South Florida; also in Texas on the 
coast, and on the frontiers near Mier; he has also seen them near 
Vera Cruz. They are very scary and shy, and very rare to find in 
Florida now, on account of the Indian wars since 1830, and the firing - 
of ordnance and muskets; but they used to be very numerous once. 
Of late years they have flown off to the more unfrequented continental 
countries of the Gulf of Mexico, not far from the sea; and it is very 
rare to see more than one or two at atime. He has never noticed 
the female or seen the eggs. 

This gentleman, after reading Bartram’s account, says it is the same 
bird as the king of the zopilotes, depicted in Cullen’s ‘ Clavijero, 
which he recognised immediately ; and that if there is any difference 
in feathers, appearance or size, it must be owing to the age or sex of 
the bird, the season of the year, or changes in its plumage. He has 
seen the bird also on the west coast of Mexico, and quite numerous 
around Manzanillo and Colima. At Colima he has had them offered 
to him for two dollars and a half a piece. 

But this opinion cannot prevail against observations of the future, — 
taken on the spot by scientific ornithologists. At any rate, this — 
gentleman’s remarks are highly valuable and suggestive. As heis a 
medico, as well as a great traveller by sea and land, and knows Cali- 
fornia from Shasta to San Diego, by land as well as by water, with a 
ten years’ experience, and has made several trips along the Mexican 
and Central American coasts, and travelled pretty extensively in those — 


Birds. 6805 


countries on business, his testimony is worth a great deal, though he 
makes no claim to being a naturalist. 

Doubtless further accounts of the more rare birds and animals of 
North America could be found in the American and European printed 
books of travel and history, on the southern sections of the United 
States and Mexico and Central America, which have been published 
in England, France, Germany and the United States, since the advent 
of the Spanish revolutions of 1820. The old Spanish missionary 
writers prior to 1800 also contain valuable observations on the Natural 
History of Spanish America, very little known seemingly among the 
learned men of Europe and the United States. California has brought 
to new light the great value of the literary and zealous labours of the 
old Catholic padres, What would the people of California have done 
for provisions in 1849 and 1850 if the friars had not provided for them 
500,000 head of cattle and 30,000 horses? They would have starved 
like Jacob’s family. The priests proved the zoological, fruital and 
agricultural value of California for seventy years. 


A. 8. Taytor. 
Monterey, April 7, 1859. 


Notes on Birds observed in Herefordshire-—During a visit to Herefordshire in the 
autumn of this year I had frequent opportunities of noticing that the country 
abounded in many birds which are comparatively rare in other countries, although my 
visit was not made at the best season for ornithological observations, especially as re- 
garded our summer residents, they having then nearly all disappeared. Amongst 
others, the missel thrush, called by the country people the “ siretch,” is met with in 
great numbers; indeed it appears even more commen than the song thrush, though 
the latter is also plentiful. The ring ouzel or mountain blackbird, the rarer great 
gray shrike (Lanius excubitor) are, I was informed, tolerably numerous, but at the sea- 
son of my visit they had probably migrated, as I did not see either of them. Of the 
larger birds, I observed hawks, jays, magpies, and last, though not least, at all events 
in brilliancy of colour, the gay-plumaged green woodpecker (Picus viridis) or “ ecle,” 
which is the name it is there known by. Rarely did.I go abroad, especially on a dull, 
gloomy day, without hearing its merry startling laugh (believed there to prognosticate 
rain) ringing through the woods or in crossing the large orchards, so common in that 
part of the country ; seeing it, cat-like, supporting itself on the trunk of an old apple- 
tree, peering cautiously around it from time to time, and then, on the least intimation 
of danger, winging its short ungainly flight, dropping and then rising as it speeds its 
way to some secure retreat. So wary are these birds that, although I so frequently 
saw them, I did not succeed in procuring a specimen, as they would not allow me to 
get sufficiently near them for that purpose: prompted no doubt by an instinctive know- 
ledge that their gay appearance renders them more conspicuous than the rest of their 
species, they generally select an isolated tree with no cover close enough to conceal an 


6806 Birds. 


approach, the green and yellow of their backs contrasting vividly with the dark bark 
as they climb the trees in quest of their insect-food. The nuthatch (Sitta europea) or 
“French magpie,” as it is there called, was also said to be abundant, but I only ob- 
served two on the same morning in an orchard adjoining the house, and should pro- 
bably have overlooked them had I not been attracted by their curious note. Very 
fine specimens of the elegant gray wagtail (Motacilla boarula) as well as the com- 
mon pied variety frequented the roofs of the house and outbuildings. On the banks 
of the “ Wye” the kingfisher is seen in considerable numbers, also the common sand- 
piper or summer snipe, moorhens, and occasionally herons, and, as I was informed, the 
water ouzel (Cinclus aquaticus), though I did not see the latter there; I was, however, 
more fortunate nearer home: as I was strolling, gun in hand, early one morning in 
search of woodpigeons, on the elevated bank of a small stream about one hundred 
yards from the house and close to a miniature waterfall, I heard a wild,‘sweet note 
sounding clear above the rushing of the water and echoing back from the overhanging 
banks ; my curiosity being aroused, determined me, if possible, to discover the songster. 
I accordingly descended, and by means of a rustic bridge crossed the brook: 
immediately on my doing so a bird flew out of the opposite bank, shooting down the 
stream and reminding me somewhat of the flight of the kingfisher; at first I was 
taken by surprise, but succeeded in shooting it, and found it to be a very beantiful 
specimen of this singular bird, which I had vainly endeavoured to procure on the 
banks of the river. As to our rarer visitors, I fear my stay was not sufficiently pro- 
longed to give me an opportunity of observing them, nor did I succeed in obtaining 
any reliable information respecting their appearance.—John Henry Belfrage ; 7, New 
Inn, Strand. 

Ornithological Occurrences in Norfolk.—An immature male eider duck was shot at 
Blakeney, on the 25th of October. The feathers on the breast of this specimen ex- 
hibit the earliest state of change from the plumage of the female, each feather being 
barred with black and white and tipped with brown, the dark fringe partly concealing 
the brighter tints, giving a curiously mottled appearance. Another male, in the same 
state of plumage, was more recently obtained at Yarmouth. On November 11th, 
a fine old male of the hen harrier was killed at Ranworth, and about the same time 
an adult female was winged and taken alive, at Horniug, in the same neighbourhood. 
The latter bird, very probably the mate of the Ranworth specimen, is now in the 
aviary of J. H. Gurney, Esq., at Catton Park. These birds were formerly very plentiful 
in our marshes, but — from extensive drainage and other causes — have, with their 
kindred species, become more and more scarce, the adults, especially, being very rare. 
I had never before the pleasure of handling a recently-killed specimen of the old hen 
harrier in its delicate blue and white dress, although Montagu’s barrier, in the same 
stage of plumage, occurs from time to time. A female velvet scoter was shot on 
November 14th, at Yarmouth, and a single specimen of the little auk was lately 
picked up alive in a ditch in this neighbourhood. This is the only one of these 
storm-driven wanderers that I have heard of this season. Peregrines, chiefly young 
birds, and ospreys, have been more numerous than usual on our coast during their 
autumnal migration ; a curious light variety of the former, a young female, bearing 
much resemblance about the head to the “ Saker falcon,” was killed at Ranworth. 
Several fine specimens of the hawfinch have been met with in various parts of the 
county, and that irregular visitant in sharp winters, the Bohemian waxwing, has 
appeared in several instances. I have already seen four beautiful specimens from dif- 


Birds. 6807 


ferent districts, and others have beenseen. With the exception of a solitary straggler 
or two, these birds have not visited us in any quantity since the winter of 1849—s0, 
when such large numbers occurred along the whole line of our eastern coasts, 
as noticed in the ‘ Zoologist’ at the time.—H. Stevenson ; Norwich, Dec. 15, 1859. 

Rare Birds at Scarborough.—I have had the following birds brought in to be pre- 
served lately. The Egyptian goose (Anser egyptiacus), a very beautiful specimen, 
shot out of a flock at Filey. The little gull (Larus minutus), in its immature plumage. 
The little auk (Uria alle), also shot at Filey. The pinkfooted goose of Bartlett (Anser 
brachyrhynchus), shot at Hunmanby.—Alfred Roberts ; King Street, Scarborough, 
December 5, 1859. 

Sport at the Scilly Isles.—The result of the shooting of a few friends of the Lord 
Proprietor of the Scilly Isles, who have been staying with him during the past month, 
has been the bagging of one hundred and fifty-two snipes and ninety woodcocks. 
Several long-eared owls, a merlin falcon, purple Tringe, cirl buntings and brambling 
finches have been observed on the Islands.—Edward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, 
December 10, 1859. 

Occurrence of Rare Birds at Eastbourne, Susser.—Some rather rare birds have 
visited this delightful watering-place this season. On the 25th of April last a fine 
hoopoe (Upupa epops) was seen several times at Compton Place, the seat of the 
Hon. Mrs. Cavendish. On the 3rd of September I saw, in the flesh, a most beautiful 
wheatear (Sylvia wnanthe), pure white, with pink eyes,—in fact, a perfect albino,— 
which was shot by a coast-guard man here. Dartford warblers (Sylvia provincialis) 
are always to be met with in the furze growing on the hills (downs), and a short time 
ago I found two, one of which I shot. On the 3rd of November a particularly 
beautiful snow bunting (EZmberiza nivalis) was shot close to the town, and purchased 
by Mr. A. Vidler, the naturalist; he also has seen two more within these few days. 
On the 5th of December a fine Norfolk plover, or thick-kneed bustard (Gdicnemus 
erepitans), was caught alive in a field just below my garden, and which I added to my 
collection. A large eagle (probably whitetailed) was seen, on the 16th instant, by a 
coast-guard man, at Birling Gap, sitting on the beach, and which flew to the westward: 
one is generally seen here in severe winters. Many gouldeneyed ducks (Anas clangula) 
have been shot during this severe weather, at a place called the “ Crumbles.” A haw- 
finch (Fringilla coccothraustes) and brambling (&. montifringilla) were shot yesterday, 
close to my house. I saw to-day (among a flock of larks) two snow buntings; they 
were easily distinguished by the preponderance of white in their wings.—J. Dutton, 
Consulting Ornithologist ; South Street, Eastbourne, Sussex, December 18, 1859. 

Occurrence of the Great Ashcoloured Shrike (Lanius excubitor) in Aberdeenshire.— 
A most beautiful adult male specimen of the above bird was killed by a young man, 
near Hatton Castle, on the 28th of October last. Attention was attracted to it by an 
unusually large number of small birds, fluttering and screaming round the place where 
it was taken,—a garden hedge or enclosure. It was quite tame, at least, it suffered 
the young man to approach several times very near before it sought to fly. When it 
was shot it uttered several times a rather loud note, resembling the words “ stack, 
stacks.” It wassent to me for identification, as also for preservation,—and I must say 
that it was very full in flesh,—besides the one recorded by me in the ‘ Zoologist’ for 
April last as being found at Drummuir, Banffshire. The stomach contained a small 
ball of what seemed to be the hair and bones of a mouse or mice, with portions of the 
elytra of beetles. These are two which have been met with this year, within, perhaps, 


6808 Birds. 


thirty miles of each other; and very strange indeed it would be if they were the only 
two that had sojourned here; yet it might be. But perhaps we shall hear more of the 
subject by and by, as the people in this quarter are becoming more alive to these 
matters than they were fifty years ago.— Thomas Edward ; Sub-curator of the Museum, 
Banff, December 5, 1859. 

Occurrence of the Great Ashcoloured Shrike (Lanius excubitor) in Cambridgeshire. 
—Cambridgeshire has “once more been visited by a fine male specimen of the great 
ashcoloured shrike ; it was shot at Histon, on the 5th of November; it was accompanied 
by a female. I have a specimen, procured about three miles from the locality named 
some five years since, shot on exactly the same date, viz. November 5.—S. P. Saville ; 
Panton Place, Cambridge, November 23, 1859. 

Another Occurrence of the Ashcoloured Shrike in Cambridgeshire.—Again (for the 
second time this season) I have the pleasure of recording the capture, by a boy, of an 
ashcoloured shrike, in a close near Newmarket, on the 25th of November. This 
locality is much further on the eastern side of the county than any in which I ever 
knew of its being shot before—Jd. ; December 10, 1859. 

Disappearance of Swallows and Martins.—In the December nnmber of the 
‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6779), under the above heading, I see the latest date is the 24th of 
October. Colonel Newman asks, Is it usual for them to stay so late? I can inform 
him that I myself have made a similar observation, as respects their late stay this year 
in this locality: swallows and martins were seen as Jate as the 31st of October, which 
occurrence was unusual ; they generally depart about the beginning of October ; some- 
times, in wet, cold autumns as early as the 15th or 20th of September.—Jd. 

Late Stay of Martins.—In the last number of the ‘ Zoologist ’ (Zool. 6779), there 
is a notice of the appearance of martins so late as the 24th of October. They were — 
fully as late in the neighbourhood of Bridgwater: on the 25th several were flying 
around my house during a heavy rain, dashing about with great animation and 
apparent enjoyment. I saw a solitary one on the 29th, which was the last that I saw — 
or heard of.— Thomas Clark ; Halesleigh, December 15, 1859. 

Occurrence of the Alpine Swift (Cypselus alpinus) in Cornwall.—A few weeks 
since a capital specimen of this rare species of swift was obtained in the parish of 
Mylor, near Falmouth. The bird has passed into my hands, and as far as I can 
judge, it is an adult bird. The whole of the upper parts are of a dull brown, and the 
under parts similar to the descriptions given by authors. The length from the carpal 
joint to the end of the quill feathers, about 8} inches. I rather think that it is not the 
first instance of its occurrence in Cornwall, as Mr. R. Q. Couch has more than once 
told me that his father obtained a specimen at or near Looe, some years since, but ; 
whether the bird was preserved by the late Mr. Jackson, and formed a part of his col- 
lection I do not know.—Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, December 1, 1859. 

Occurrence of the Black Redstart (Sylvia tithys) and of the Whinchat (Sylvia 
rubetra) in December, near, Dublin. — Yesterday (December 13th), when on the 
beach, near Killiney, Co. Dublin, my attention was drawn to a bird about the size of 
a stonechat, which perched within three or four yards of the rock on which I was sit- 
ting. When first attracted to him, his breast was turned towards me and seemed to” 
me much darker and sootier in colour than that of a stonechat; his manners too, dif- 
fered from those of that species, and on his expanding his wings, I remarked that the 
white was much less in extent: while stillin doubt as to his precise species,;—although 
he reminded me much of the redstarts, as I had seen them in Devon and Kent,—a 


Birds. 6809 


pugnacious robin, on whose territory the stranger had intruded, approached and mob- 
bed him, and immediately on his taking flight his fiery tail left no doubt of his genus. 
At the time I had no gun, and therefore was obliged to content myself with observing 
him for nearly three quarters of an hour, which he gave me abundant opportunity of 
doing, alighting at times within three feet of me, and so enabling me to note his 
colours ; he flitted along from stone to stone, occasionally taking a flight towards the 
edge of the waves, and there alighting on the wet sand (the tide was advancing), he 
pecked for some moments among the débris left by each receding wave. He would 
then, on my too close approach, fly back to the rocks and stones which here cover the 
railway embankment. The robin, before alluded to, still continued pursuing and 
mobbing him, and, after awhile, was joined in his amusement by a well-marked spe- 
cimen of the whinchat (Sylvia rubetra), which, in like manner, mobbed the redstart. 
It was rather a singular conjunction, meeting two summer birds together on a cold 
December day. I have before, however, seen the whinchat on these cliffs in the 
winter on more than one occasion, and shot a specimen here on the 12th of December, 
1847. On the following day I went out to try and procure one, if not both specimens, 
I failed, however, in obtaining more than one tail-feather of the redstart, which, by its 
uniform flame-colour, left no doubt as to the species, when taken in conjunction with 
the white band on the wing. There appeared to bea pair of the redstarts, both 
males, and one much bluer in the breast than the other. Where did they come from, 
or what were they doing there on a cold, snowy December day? The cliffs here are 
covered with furze and brake, and face the south-east. Stonechats abound here at all 
seasons.—J, R. Kinahan ; 51, Stephens Green, Dublin, December 14, 1859. 

[I cannot quite agree with my friend, Dr. Kinahan, in regarding the black 
redstart as a summer bird. I find from thirty to forty notes of its occurrence, and 
they are in the proportion of six to one in the winter: it is an uncommon bird in this 
country.—#. Newman]. 

Occurrence of the Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) at Wisbech.— A fine 
male specimen of this rare bird, in full plumage, was shot in a plantation at the 
Black Sluice, a short distance from this town, on Tuesday, the 8th of November inst. 
On dissection, it was found that its food, while in this country, consisted of small 
Coleoptera. It has been preserved for the Wisbech Museum. — 7. W. Foster ; 
Wisbech, November 16, 1859. 


Notes on the “ Mooruk.”* By GEORGE BENNETT, Esq. 


(From the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society’). 


On the 26th of October, 1858, the “ Oberon” cutter of forty-eight 
tons arrived in Sydney, having two fine young specimens of the mooruk 
on board, stated to be male and female. On going on board I found 
them confined in a very small space, and the captain informed me he 


* The mooruk (Casuarius Bennetiii) is a newly discovered bird, allied to the casso- 
wary.— Edward Newman. 


XVIII. D 


6810 Birds. 


had had them eight months, that he procured them soon after his 
arrival at New Britain for Sydney, and since that time had been 
trading about the islands, having these birds on board. They were 
fed principally on yams. I observed they were in poor condition, but 
healthy in appearance, and plumage in good order. They were about 
half the size of the specimen sent to England; but one, apparently 
the male bird, appeared a little larger than the other. Captain Deolin 
informs me that the natives capture them very young, soon after they 
are hatched, and rear them by hand. The natives rarely or never can 
capture the adult bird, as they are so very shy and difficult of approach 
—the native weapons being ineffectual against so rapid and wary a 
bird. These birds are very swift of foot, and possess great strength 
in the legs. On the least alarm they elevate the head, and, seeing 
danger, dart among the thick brush, and thread about in localities 
where no human being could follow them, and disappear like magic. 
This bird, with its strong legs and muscular thighs, has an extraordinary 
power of leaping ; it was from this circumstance the first bird brought 
from New Britain was lost. From its habit of leaping, it one day 
made a spring on the deck, and went overboard; as it was blowing a 
strong breeze at the time the bird perished. In warm weather, the 
captain informs me, they are fond of having a bucket of salt water 
thrown over them, and seem to enjoy it very much. I succeeded in 
purchasing these birds ; and Captain Slater (the present commander 
of the “ Oberon”) brought them to my house in a cab, and when 
placed in the yard they walked about as tame as turkeys. They 
approached any one that came into the yard, pecking the hand as if 
desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by pecking 
at a bone in the yard, probably not having tasted any meat for some 
time, and would not, while engaged upon it, touch some boiled 
potatoes which were thrown to them; indeed, we found afterwards 
they fed better out of a dish than from the ground—no doubt, having 
been accustomed early to be fed in that manner. They were as familiar 
as if born and bred among us for years, and did not require time to 
reconcile them to their new situation, but became sociable and quite 
at home at once. We found them next day rather too tame, or, like 
spoiled pets, too often in the way. One or both of them would walk 
into the kitchen ; while one was dodging under the tables and chairs, 
the other would leap upon the table, keeping the cook in a state of 
excitement; or they would be heard chirping in the hall, or walk into 
the library in search of food or information, or walk up stairs, and 
then be quickly seen descending again, making their peculiar chirping, 


Birds. 6311 


whistling noise ; not a door could be left open, but in they walked, 
familiar with all. They kept the servants constantly on the alert ; if 
the servant went to open the door, on turning round she found a 
mooruk behind her, for they seldom went together, generally wandering 
_ apart from each other. If any attempt was made to turn them out by 

force, they would dart rapidly round the room, dodging about under 
the tables, chairs and sofas, and then end by squatting down under a 
sofa or in a corner, and it was impossible to remove the bird, except 
by carrying it away. On attempting this, the long, powerful, muscular 
legs would begin kicking and struggling, and soon get released, when 
it would politely walk out of its own accord. I found the best method 
was to entice them out, as if you had something eatable in your hand, 
when they would follow the direction in which you wished to lead 
them. They sometimes also give a smart kick to any person attempting 
to turn them out forcibly. The housemaid attempting to turn the 
bird out of one of the rooms, it gave her a kick and tore her dress 
whilst she was very politely driving him before her. They walk into 
the stable among the horses, poking their bills into the manger. When 
writing in my study, a chirping, whistling noise is heard; the door 
which was ajar is pushed open, and in walk the mooruks, who quietly 
pace round the room, inspecting everything, and then as peaceably 
go out again. If any attempt is made to turn them out, they leap and 
dodge about, and exhibit a wonderful rapidity of movement, which no 
one would suppose possible from their quiet gait and manner at other 
times. Even in the very tame state of these birds, I have seen sufficient 
of them to know that if they were loose in a wood it would be impossible 
to catch them, and almost as difficult to shoot them. One day, when 
apparently frightened at something that occurred, I saw one of them 
scour round the yard at a swift pace, and speedily disappear under the 
archway so rapidly that the eye could hardly follow it, upsetting all 
the poultry in its progress, as they could not get out of the way. The 
lower half of the stable door, about four feet high, was kept shut to 
prevent them going in; but this proved no obstacle, as it was easily 
leaped over by these birds. They never appeared to take any notice 
of, or be frightened at, the jabiru or gigantic crane, which was in the 
same yard, although that sedate, stately bird was not pleased at their 
intrusion. One day I remarked the jabiru spreading his long wings, 
and clattering his beak opposite one of the mooruks, as if in ridicule. 
of its wingless condition. Mooruk, on the other hand, was preening 
its feathers and spreading out its funny little apology for wings, as if 
proud of displaying the stiff horny shafts, with which they were adorned. 


6812 Birds. 


The mooruks often throw up all their feathers, ruffling them, and then 
suddenly fall flat as before. They appear to have great power in raising 
all the feathers, and the wings are used to aid them in running, but 
never seem used for defence. Captain Deolin says the natives consider 
them, to a certain degree, sacred, and rear them as pets. He is not | 
aware that they are used as food, but if so not generally; indeed, 
their shy disposition and power of rapid running, darting through the 
brake and bush, would almost preclude their capture. It reminds me 
(from the description) of the habits of the menura, or lyre bird of Aus- 
tralia, only it is much larger, and more powerful in its actions. The 
natives carry them in their arms, and are very kind to, and have a 
great affection for them ; this will account for their domesticated state 
with us. 

The noise of these birds, when in the yard, resembled that of the 
female turkey ; at other times the peculiar chirping noise was accom- 
panied by a whistling sound also. The contrast of these birds with 
the jabiru was very great. The mooruks were sometimes moving 
about, like the female turkey, in rapid motion or excitement, or, when 
walking quietly, always inquisitive, and poking their beaks into every- 
thing, and familiar with every person. The jabiru, on the other hand, 
was a perfect picture of sedate quietness, looking upon all play as 
injurious to his constitution or derogatory to his dignity, remaining 
stiff in his gait and serious in his demeanour. 

Only one egg was brought, and that was partly broken; I have it 
in my possession. The captain informs me that they can be procured 
from the natives, and have generally a hole in them, about the size 
of a shilling, throngh which the contents have been extracted. 

The height of the largest or male bird to the top of the back was 
2 feet 2 inches ; and of the female 2 feet. The height of the largest 
or male bird, when erect, to the top of the head, was 3 feet 2 inches ; 
and of the female 3 feet. 


Occurrence of the Gray Phalarope in Orkney.—On the 28th of November I shot a 
fine female specimen of the gray phalarope (Phalaropus platyrhynchus), in winter 
plumage, which I have mounted for my own collection. It is now nearly four 
years since I shot one here before, and only the third specimen I have seen got here, 
and, although constantly collecting, having seen so few, I consider them rare in 
Orkney.—Joseph Dunn; Stromness, Orkney, December 12, 1859. 

Occurrence of the Little Auk in Orkney.—On the 2nd instant I was fortunate 
enough to shoot a few fine specimens of the little auk (Ura alle), in winter plumage: 


Fishes. 6813 


as those I got were uncommonly fat, and were so active and incessantly diving, I con- 
cluded they had only newly arrived, as I am of opinion they cannot get their proper 
food, as, after being a short time here, I have remarked that they soon get very lean 
and eventually pine away. On the 5th instant I was fortunate enough to get four 
more, but have not seen any since.—Jd. 

Occurrence of the Glaucous Gull in Orkney.—1 have seen four glaucous gulls 
(Larus glaucus), in the first year’s plumage, this winter, two of which I fortunately 
obtained last week.—Id. 


On some Structural Peculiarities in the Pipe Fishes—The specimen of the Syng- 
nathus before us is dried so as to preserve and show a very beautiful apparatus which 
exists under the lower jaw, and which I have not seen exhibited in any of the museum 
specimens that have come under my observation, nor have I seen it described. The 
apparatus to which I allude is what may be called a ‘* Derrick mechanism” for en- 
larging the opening of the mouth, and widening the throat in the act of swallowing. 
As the Syngnathus is usually drawn or preserved in museums, the under line of 
the jaw is nearly horizontal, the under line of profile deviating little from the hori- 
zontal and showing no projection ; and looked at in a vivarium the aspect of the fish 
is the same, and the only motion usually perceptible about the jaw is that of the sin- 
gular-looking fleshy lip, which projects upwards from the extremity of the lower jaw, 
with its valve-like action opening slightly to admit water for respiration, and then 
closing to aid the action of the tubular jaw in driving the water backwards through 
the gills; but this limited motion would not suffice for taking in food, and hence, 
when the Syngnathus is about to swallow, the action of the mechanism I shall now ~ 
describe is brought into play. If the dried specimen be viewed laterally a process 
about a quarter of an inch long is seen projecting downwards at right angles to the 
jaw. If instead of the lateral view this process be looked at in front, it is seen to con- 
sist of two limbs, or processes, like those of a derrick, one springing from the lower 
jaw on each side and uniting at an angle in the centre. From this pomt of junction, 
which appears to be ligamentary, an elastic tissue extends along the mesial line 
between the two sides of the lower jaw to the valve-like lip, while behind a muscular 
tissue exists, stretching backwards from the point between the operculum to what I 
believe is the os hyoides. | When the animal is alive the action of this mechanism is 
very beautiful. In the mere process of breathing this apparatus does not come into 
view atall. I[t lies quite hidden within the triangular space within the lower jaw, 
and fits it, and fills the space so accurately that it is very difficult to detect it, and 


even in the dead specimen the action of this elastic tissue keeps it so accurately fitted 


in its berth that it may escape a very close examination. To return, however, to the 
living animal,—when the Syngnathus is about to swallow it draws out by muscular 
action the point of this derrick, as we may call it, from its receptacle. In so doing, 


‘the point of it draws with it the ligamentary tissue extending to the lower lip until 


the point is drawn down so as to be at right angles with the jaw; the lower lip is 
necessarily drawn downwards and backwards, so as to widen the orifice of the mouth, 
and the profile of the fish, with the process projecting downwards, is then such as is 
seen in the dried specimen. At the same time as the opening of the mouth is en- 
larged, the capacity of the throat is widened. The long fork or process consists of 


6814 Fishes. 


two limbs, as already described, uniting at an angle in the centre. The same muscu- 
lar action which draws back the point of junction in drawing it downwards, and away 
from the lower jaw, widens the whole extent of the pipe-like mouth; but it does more 
than this, for by the same action the two lips of the bony fork, or derrick, are made 
to diverge, and in so doing the throat of the fish is also enlarged laterally and to 
double its former size. In an ordinary-sized Syngnathus, the lower jaw measures 
about a quarter of an inch across, when the bony fork is lying in its receptacle, but 
when the fork is in action and out at its full extent at right angles to the jaw, 
its limbs diverge until it separates the jaws to the extent of half an inch. The 
Syngnathus may be watched a long time in confinement before the action of this ap- 
paratus is seen. Sometimes one’s patience is quite worn out watching for it; at other 
times the action is seen several times in a minute, and it is then beautiful to observe 
with the action and projection of the bony derrick the simultaneous drawing down of 
the lip and the widening of the long pipe-like mouth and throat. In this mechanism 
there is an antagonism of ligamentary and muscular action, the ligamentary elas- 
ticity drawing down and retaining the point of the bony fork in its recepiacle within 
the angle of the jaw, the muscular action elevating it when required to aid the action 
of swallowing. Jn the dead animal the elastic action containing the bony fork is re- 
tained in its receptacle, and escapes observation. In the living animal, however, 
this bony process and its action may be easily demonstrated, by gently bending 
back the head of the fish, and raising the point of che process with the nail or a fine 
edge, and it will then be seen that while thus retained the mouth is opened wide and 
cannot be shut. Dr. Mayne has drawn my attention to an antagonism of muscular 
action and ligamentary elasticity in the larynx of the porpoise, similar to that which 
exists in the jaw mechanism in the Syngnathus. In the porpoise an elastic action 
- keeps the larynx closed without any effort on the part of the animal until it rises to 
breathe at the surface, when a muscular action comes into play, and for the moment 
opens the larynx to permit the ingress of air. The Syngnathus is one of our most 
interesting fishes in a vivarium, so singular in appearance, so different from all other 
order of fishes, and so vivid in the contrast of its colours, and so cased in armour. 
It is at first very wild, and, unless the vivarium be covered, will almost certainly jump 
over its sides; but it soon becomes reconciled to confinement, and will, with a turn or 
two of its tail, support itself on any stem placed in the vivarium for its support; or, if 
there be two of them, they will intertwine their tails in a knot, and raise their heads 
and long slender bodies, side by side, towards the surface, remaining for hours in that 
posture. In this (the Syngnathus equoreus) there is no pouch for the reception and 
protection of the young; but in the other specimen on the table (Syugnathus acus), 
which I beg also to present to the Society, the pouch—if it can be properly called a 


pouch—is wellseen. It is about four inches long, resembling a bag split down one of — 


its sides, and with the edges lying in apposition. I must beg of the Society to excuse 
any errors into which I may have fallen in my observations, for my acquaintance 
with Natural History is necessarily very limited, but it happens that I have occa- 
sionally favourable opportunities of observing the physiology and habits of some of 
our fishes in confinement, and such observations as I have in my power I feel 
obliged to this Society for receiving. — Dr. Carrigan, addressing the Dublin Na- 
tural History Society. 


8 


1 


Insects. 6815 


Remarks on Bombyx Quercus and the Variety B. Callune of Palmer.—For years past 
it has been the custom with northern collectors in want of this species to visit the 
Moors and Bogs (called ‘‘ Mosses” down here) in spring, collect the larve on heather, 
and feed them on hawthorn till they assume the pupa state ; what remain unchanged 
are thrown away. If a female is bred, she is taken to the Moors or Bogs, and the 
males are attracted in great numbers. Those pup which do not come out are kept 
till the following season ; hence the idea gets abroad, “ It is a heather-feeder, two years 
to come to maturity, and various months given for its appearance in the perfect state.” 
During the last two years I have paid some attention to the subject, as regards the 
district of Bowdon, which is four niles from Carrington Moss. We have nothing but 
the Callune variety in this part. So far from the larva being confined to the heather, 
it is abundant in the lanes, feeding apparently on almost everything growing in the 
fences ; to find them in these situations is an arduous task, compared to the heather. 
In the neighbourhood of the Moors, generally bleak and barren districts, where stone 
walls occur in lieu of fences, the heather is the only place to find them. The larva 
taken in spring vary in appearance and also in size: in their later stages they grow 
with amazing rapidity ; they remain in the cocoon about a month, but others remain 
till the following season; some of the larve will continue feeding till August and 
September, and then go into cocoon. The moths continue on the wing from the end 


of Juneinto August. I think it is very probable that the first moths which make their 
| appearance are those which have passed the winter in the pupa state, and the constant 
_ flight of the moths is kept up into August from the present season’s cocoons. In the 


‘Annales Ent. Soc. France, 1858,’ is an elaborate communication on this subject by 


_M. Guenée, with figures of the young larve of B. Quercus and B. Callune. The differ- 


ence is then very striking, but as they get older the larvae cannot be separated. Your 
readers who are interested in the subject must refer to the above, being too long for 
these pages. B. Callunz is said to vary but little; itis, in fact, most variable, especially 
the males: some are very small, others very large ; some deep chocolate, others red- 
dish brown. I possess a male and female olive-brown; the basal tawny patch is 
developed in an extraordinary manner, through all gradations to none at all, the tawny 
bands assume all sorts of forms, sometimes very broad down to a narrow streak ; others 
occur, but rarely, without any band at all. The female is not so liable to these extra- 
ordinary changes; it is chiefly in the tone of colour, some are very dark and others 
very light; the largest and darkest females are from the moors. I am indebted to 
Mr. E. Shepherd for four males of the southern B. Quercus with exceedingly broad 
tawny bands; itappears to be an uncommon variety there, and this form in B, Callune 
is rare down here. To Mr. Doubleday I am indebted for specimens of B. Quercus 
from Epping; these are small, and appear as if the breed was running out,— unless 
they migrate northwards the tribe would become extinct: he was kind enough to send 
me ten larve this season ; all died in the cocoon, and believe the same fate attended 
his own. I was desirous of trying the experiment of taking our males with these 
southern females, and observing the result of their union ; another season I hope to 
be more successful. In my opinion we have but a single species (B. Quercus, Lin.), 
whose head-quarters are the Moors and Mosses of the North. From the end of June 
into August the males fly with amazing vigour in search of the females. In the highly 
cultivated districts, like Bowdon, where fences, lanes, &c., occur, we have not the same 
opportunity of observing their numbers on the wing, unless we attract them with a 


6816 Insects. 


female. Below I give you a few extracts from my journal, showing what peculiar 
habits occur through all the stages. 


1858. 
May 12. Carrington Moss; on the heather picked up six B. Callune larva, variable 
in size. 
July 14. Carrington Moss; find female B. Callune been out some time. 
July 23. Four of the above larve in cocoon for some days past. 
July 24. Carrington Moss; B. Callune flying in abundance; on my return home 
male B. Callune bred (larva, May 12), and two of the larve still feeding. 
Aug. 2. Another larva in cocoon; female bred ; take her to Carrington Moss to 
attract males; select some twenty fine specimens. 
Aug. 6. Bred another female B. Callune. 
Aug. 7. Take her to Carrington ; males visit her in great abundance ; find an old 
female on the heather depositing her eggs. 
Aug. 10. Eggs of B. Callune, laid 24th July, hatch to day. 
Leaving home at this date for three weeks, the single larva (still feeding) was 
turned out into the garden, and two pupe remain over till next season. 


1859. 

May 9. Carrington Moss; get six or eight larve of B. Callune, various sizes, 
Mr. Sidebotham a few also. 

May 13. Receive from Mr Doubleday ten larve of B. Quercus nearly full grown; 
ours not more than half-grown. 

May 27. Most of Mr. Doubleday’s larve in cocoon. 

June 10. Carrington larve grown amazingly, but do not appear inclined to form 
cocoons. 

June 11. Leave home till the 28th. 

June 21. See B.Callune on the wing over heather at the foot of Skiddaw, Cum- 
berland. 

June 27. My people write me female B Callune (last year’s cocoon) bred, taken 
to Carrington Moss, where another female was found on the heather; attract the males 
in great abundance, and the larve taken May 9th are still feeding. 

July 7. Mr. Sidebotham breeds two female B. Callune; my larve, taken same 
time, still feeding. 

Jaly 8. Bred another female; last season’s cocoon ; place her in the garden at 
Bowdon, and attracts the males in plenty ; and again the next day Mr. Sidebotham’s 
female, kept in the coach-house at Sale, is visited by a host of males ; on the same day 
males observed on the wing in the parish of Hale. 

July 12. B. Callune flying abundantly at Bowdon, and a female picked up on 
the fence. 

July 16, Carrington Moss, B. Callune in plenty. 

July 18. Carrington Moss, B. Callune and a female found at Sale. 

July 19. One of the Carrington larve (May 9th) in cocoon; the others refuse 
to go into cocoon. 


T leave home for three weeks.—R. S. Edleston; Bowdon, December 7, 1859. — 


From the ‘ Intelligencer, vii. 93. 


Insects. 6817 


Deseription of the Larva of Eupithecia linariata.— Short and stumpy, slightly 
tapering towards the head. When young bright yellow, with blackish dorsal spots. 
When full-fed yellowish green, with a series of large dull olive or rust-coloured dorsal 
spots or bars, running the whole length, and bordered on either side by a dusky olive 
line. Head nearly black. Belly dusky. Spiracles black. Body sprinkled with short 
whitish hairs, and here and there studded with black tubercles. The dorsal markings 
are frequently very indistinct, and sometimes wanting altogether, and the larva is one 
uniform yellowish green. Feeds in August and September on the flowers and seeds 
of the common wild snap-dragon (Linaria vulgaris). It is uncertain in its appearance, 
being one year exceedingly abundant and the next very scarce. The pupa, which 
is enclosed in an earthen cocoon, has the abdomen reddish yellow, tip blood 
red, thorax and wing cases olive. The perfect insect appears in May. In very hot 
seasons it is sometimes double brooded.—H. Harpur Crewe ; Medstead, Alton, Hants, 
November 28, 1859. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia subfulvata.—Long, tapering but slightly 
towards the head. Reddish brown, with a series of dusky olive oval dorsal spots, con-: 
fluent towards the head and tail, and connected and intersected by a central dorsal 
line, paler in colour than the spots. Spiracular line white. Subdorsal lines black, 
interrupted. Back thickly studded with minute white tubercles, and less thickly with 
whitish hairs. Belly whitish, with a central purplish line running the whole length. 
Feeds in September and October on the flowers and seeds of yarrow (Achillea mille- 
folium). Pupa enclosed in an earthen cocoon ; uniform, orange red, thorax and wing 
cases paler than abdomen. Tip of latter blood-red. Long, rather slender and tapering. 
Abdominal divisions deep red. Wing-cases much furrowed. The perfect insect 
appears in June and July. I prefer retaining the name E. subfulvata, as the foregoing 
description was taken from larve reared from eggs of this so-called variety of E. suc- 
centuriata. I shall continue to believe that the two insects are distinct species till 
some person breeds one from the egg of the other. I never heard that this has been 
done. The exhibition of a long series of varieties running one into the other proves 
nothing at all. It has never been my good fortune to be in a locality where E. succen- 
turiata occurred, so that I have never been able to try the experiment. I shall feel 
deeply indebted to any gentleman who is in the habit of taking this insect if he will 
send me a few eggs or a living female.—Id. 

Drawings of the Genus Eupithecia.—I am at present drawing and colouring from 
Nature, in the ‘ Manual,’ the Genus Eupithecia. The following species I do not possess, 
E. consignata, E. pernotata, E. egenaria, E. pusillata,* E. irriguata, E. indigata* and E. 
expallidata. Those marked with a star I have only poor specimens of. If any col- 
lector would be so obliging as to lend me a specimen of these species, for the purpose 
above named, I should feel very much indebted to him. The utmost care shall be 
taken, and postage of course paid both ways.—J. Greene ; Cubley Rectory, Doveridge, 
Derby. 

Larva of Caradrina cubicularis in Wheat-ricks.—After reading M. Guenée’s de- 
scription of the habits of the larva of Apamea basilinea (Noctuelites, vol. i. p. 205) I 
thought I should have no difficulty in obtaining the perfect insect, which, although 
pronounced by the ‘ Manual’ to be “ common everywhere,” is not, according to my 
experience, so common here. I accordingly sought among corn-ricks and on barn 
floors for the larve. In the winter of last year, and early in the spring of this year, I 
was present at the removal of several corn-ricks from the field to the barn, and as the 


XVIII. E 


6818 Insects. 


sheaves were pitched from the rick to the cart, thousands of larve were strewed upon the 
ground. Robins and other small birds, as though invited to the feast, were regaling 
upon them. These, however, proved to be not the larve of A. basilinea, but the larve 
of C. cubicularis, and up to the present time, though I have again this year sought 
for A. basilinea I have obtained only larve of C. cubicularis. | Now Guenée describes 
the larve of A. basilinea as being destructive to the cereals; and in ‘ Noctuelites,’ 
vol. i. p. 234, he says, “ None of the larve of Caridrinide are injurious to agriculture.” 
Surely the larve of C. cubicularis would not be found in such abundance among corn, 
unless they fed upon it. The fact of the larve of C. cubicularis being found in corn- 
ricks is noticed in ‘ Humphreys and Westwood’s British Moths’ vol i. p. 146.—H. 
D Orville ; Alphington, Exeter, December 8, 1859. 

Sphinx Convolvuli Imago and Larva.—Between the 8th of August and the 24th 
of September, the days on which I captured the first and last, I captured in my garden 
twenty S. Couvolvuli—the majority of them females, and many so much damaged as 
not to be worth setting. From one female only I obtained a single laid egg; and 
although I carefully extracted from the same female many more eggs, and also a large 
number from the others, the egg deposited was the only one that produced a larva, 
which hatched on the twelfth day ; it was pale green, with a very black’caudal horn; it 
fed for ten days upon Convolvulus arvensis, and died in the first moult. On the 14th 
of October I obtained a nearly full-grown larva of S. Convolvuli, dug up in a potato- 
field, and so covered with wet dirt that I infer it conceals itself under ground by day, 
and feeds by night. The ground was so covered with weeds that I could not trace any 
appearance of frass. It lived only ten days, obstinately refusing all food. The ap- 
pearance of the larva was precisely as Mr. Newman describes it (Zool. 6788).—Id. 


Foreigners, and doubtful British Species. 
By Mr. CuHaries MILLER. * 


“Vanessa Antiopa, Pieris Daplidice, and Argynnis Lathonia are not resident in 
this country ; they are casual visitors. Lathonia may probably have stronger claims 
than the others ; but, if resident, there should be localities where it could be collected 
annually, like Acteon and Arion.”—‘ Intelligencer, No. 160, p. 26. 


Havine seen what Mr. Harding has accomplished, I think it 
behoves all of us, as far as we possibly can, to follow in his footsteps, 
and put our shoulders to the wheel of Entomology, aiding the cause 
not only with our out-door exploits, but, during this season of Nature’s 
rest, pushing the subject with a few papers of a similar nature. 

Really, after his parting and emphatic injunction, “ Go thou and do 
likewise,” I think an entomologist of any pretension cannot hold 
aloof; and therefore, wishing to be second on the list, I have jotted 
down a few remarks upon an important subject, which, though rather 


* Read at a Meeting of the Haggerstone Entomological Society, December 8, 1859. 


Insects. 6819 


interesting, are, I fear, somewhat vaguely expressed. I shall entitle 
them “ Foreigners, and doubtful British Species.” It is a subject 
' which has for some years been a source of controversy, and has 
recently, as you all probably know, been touched upon by Mr. Stain- 
ton, in one of his leading articles in the ‘ Intelligencer, and has 
brought forth remarks from one or two of our best entomologists, and 
created some sensation amongst the many who do not put their 
thoughts and opinions upon paper. 

I do not, in the limits of the present article, intend to put forward 
any new facts, but rather to take a review of the opinions already 
expressed, and make a few remarks upon the same. Before, however, 
proceeding to the immediate subject of my paper, it will perhaps be 
as well to ascertain the meaning of the terms with which I have pre- 
faced it, more especially as they have in effect considerable bearing 
upon the matter. 

As at present applied, the term “foreigners” includes indiscrimi- 
nately those species which are of such rare occurrence as to leave a 
doubt whether they are in reality inhabitants of this country, those spe- 
cies which were formerly taken here, and even those which are yearly 
captured in some numbers. This application is both vague and 
incorrect; a foreigner, as I take it, being a species which does not 
undergo its transformations in England; and this, I think, is the true 
and only explanation which can be given of the term. “ Doubtful 
British species” appears to me to be a phrase much more applicable, 
and capable of greater extension in its meaning, and for the following 
reasons. first, I do not consider the rarity of an insect any proof of 
its non- British origin; secondly, many species, doubtful so-called, 
are very likely to occur here in the larva state, from the presence of 
their natural food, or from the fact of their existing on allied species 
of plants ; and thirdly, the non-occurrence of an insect for a series of 
years is no argument against its still being British. These, how- 
ever, in an inverse sense, are the arguments put forward in favour of 
the exclusion of many species from our lists. I cannot subscribe to 
any of them. I will not say there are not cases where Lepidoptera 
of foreign origin are introduced, for instance Sphinx Carolina, an 
. American species ; but I do object to all our rarities being included 
in the same category. 

From the foregoing remarks it will easily be seen that I am in 
favour of the retention of doubtful British species, and of species 
coming within the meaning of the term as I have explained it; and 


6820 Insects. 


I shall, from different examples and otherwise, endeavour to prove 
the correctness of my views. 

In the present day Entomology is much more generally studied; 
the number of observers is so largely increased that rare species 
are continually being found, whose only claim to be considered 
British rests on a specimen or two “turning up,” and that, too, in 
spots yearly visited by collectors; and before the second season is 
over they are distributed in all the chief cabinets throughout the 
kingdom. Look at Erastria Venustula, a species quite entitled, 
according to the theory of the abolitionists, to be considered doubtful. 
How many times have I myself visited Loughton, and how many 
other collectors have rambled over the very spot, and yet not taken 
it. Mr. Stephens recorded, in 1830, that only four specimens were 
known to be in existence ; and for fifteen years the species was un- 
noticed, when Mr. Doubleday called attention to it; but he only suc- 
ceeded in capturing two specimens. Fourteen years more elapse, 
and the species again appears upon the scene, I am happy to say 
through the instrumentality of members of the Haggerstone Entomo- 
logical Society. I should be loth to believe that the insect was 
common only last year, and in the years in which it has appeared: 
I rather incline to think it is a defect in our knowledge of the habits 
of the species. 

Take another example—Trochilium Chrysidiforme. This was long 
a doubtful species, Messrs. Doubleday and Stephens having erased 
it from their Catalogues of British Lepidoptera, the former from his 
‘Synonymic List, the latter from the Museum ‘Catalogue.’ Time, 
however, which makes all plain that was before indistinct, has 
restored it to us, and in a very singular manner. As some of you 
may not have heard the particulars, I will relate them briefly. Some 
one has remarked that all great discoveries are the result of accident: 
this is certainly an example. Mr. Brewer, of Reigate, on the occa- 
sion of an excursion from that town to Dover, availed himself of the 
opportunity and joined the excursionists, for the purpose of collecting 
his favourite order Coleoptera. Whilst engaged in the search, at some 
point between Folkestone and Dover, he saw a pretty clear-wing, 
which he fortunately. succeeded in incarcerating in his tobacco-box, 
little dreaming of the importance of his capture. By him it was pre- 
sented in a casual way to Mr. Douglas, who recognised in the speci- 
men the rejected Trochiliuam Chrysidiforme. Since then the species 
has been repeatedly taken, and, I do not doubt, will continue to be so 
for years to come. 


Insects. 6821 


One other example. Dr. Knaggs, only this year (Zool. 6733), 
records the capture, by himself, of eleven larve of Clostera anacho- 
reta, another rejected species, or so rare as to be entitled to be put 
amongst the “ doubtfuls” by the abolitionists. All this goes to prove 
that the exclusion of species is often premature. 

Mr. Stainton, in opening the discussion, in the article before 
referred to, made choice (very unhappily as it appears) of three spe- 
cies to illustrate his argument — Vanessa Antiopa, Pieris Daplidice 
and Argynnis Lathonia. I shall say a few words upon these species, 
and take the expressed view of most entomologists of the present day 
who consider their claims as British insects undoubted. With many 
of the doubtful species, the fact of their being constantly taken upon 
the coast is put forward as an argument in favour of their foreign 
origin. In the case of P. Daplidice this will not hold good. Only 
last year a mutual friend of Mr. Biggs and myself captured one or 
two specimens at Cambridge; yet Cambridge is quite inland, fifty 
miles, as the crow flies, being the nearest point of sea-coast. 

Other instances of this species being taken far inland might be 
cited ; but the above is sufficient for the purpose. Then, again, it has 
been taken here from time immemorial, and in such condition as to 
put the idea of its being “ blown over” out of the question. 

The larva of this species feeds upon the wild mignonette, a 
thoroughly English plant; and I have heard, I think from Mr. 
Harding, that it has been found at Dover. If this be correct, and I 
see no reason to doubt it, the claims of P. Daplidice are fully made 
out; for a British insect is one that undergoes its transformations in 
this country. 

V. Antiopa has even stronger claims. North, south, east, west, in 
all parts of England is this splendid insect occasionally taken. I have 
never heard of the larva being taken here ; but then I believe it feeds 
on the tops of willows; and, persevering as entomologists are, they 
can hardly be expected to climb to the top of every willow tree in 
their neighbourhood, on the doubtful chance of finding the object of 
their search, and at the risk of their necks. 

A. Lathonia has so often, and for so many years, been taken here, 
that, to my mind, it has quite as good claims as the others. 

With these examples—and many of a similar kind might be brought 
forward—lI think it is too much for any individual to take upon him- 
self to reject our “doubtful” species. As mortals we are, pro- 
videntially, short-sighted, and cannot probe the future ; therefore it is 
impossible to say how many of these doubtful species may not be 


6822 Insects. 


settled in the next few years. When we get fully acquainted with the 
habits of species, I do not hesitate to say that we shall have no 
doubtful ones in our lists ; for as larva-collecting gets more general it 
can easily be proved whether an insect passes the whole of its trans- 
formations in this country. 

Many species are of such retired habits that we rarely meet with 
them in the perfect state, although as larve they may be abundant. 
Amongst the Tineina some species are only found in the larva state ; 
and therefore, however rare a species may be in the perfect state, 
I consider we ought not to expunge it until we are satisfied that it 
does not breed here,—in fact, that it is a “ foreigner.” 

If we agree with Mr. Stainton that P. Daplidice, V. Antiopa and 
A. Lathonia are not truly British, we must pursue the same course 
with many of our rarest Lepidoptera, the transformations of which we 
are unacquainted with: the theory will apply equally well to either 
case. Does any one here doubt that the common skipper (Pamphila 
Sylvanus) is a British species? Has it never struck any of you, when 
watching this pretty creature sporting from flower to flower, that it 
may have been “blown over?” Yet, ridiculous as it may seem, to 
carry the argument out such must be the case; for it must be borne 
in mind that, long as we have been accustomed to look upon P. Sylva- 
nus as British, the discovery of the larva is yet unrecorded; and if we 
exclude P. Daplidice, V. Antiopa and A. Lathonia as non-residents, 
or in other words because they do not pass their transformations here, 
we should do so with P. Sylvanus, because we have no proof either 
way in either case. 

An argument put forward by the abolitionists, in some cases, is the 
absence of the natural food of some species, of which the transforma- 
lions are known. Now, I acknowledge that many species are exclu- 
sive in their food; but, again, there are plenty which, though not 
polyphagous, devour different plants, or at least feed on allied species. 
There is one of our rarest Micros—Hypercallia Christiernana—which 
feeds, on the Continent, on Polygala Chamebuxus. This is not a 
British plant; but Mr. Stainton, having received some larve from 
Germany, and being short of their food-plant, tried them with an 
allied species, Polygala vulgaris, which they ate readily. This fact, I 
have no doubt, will apply to many other species of the various fami- 
lies of Lepidoptera. 

With regard to those species which were formerly taken here, but 
which are now never met with, I will quote an example, Plusia illus- 
tris. This beautiful Noctua was thrown out by Mr. Doubleday, but, 


Insects. 6823 


singular to relate, reintroduced by Mr. Stainton. Whence can arise 
this perversity? P. Daplidice, V. Antiopa and A. Lathonia, species 
repeatedly captured, and very recently, he designates “ foreigners ;” 
whilst P. illustria, a doubtful species, not taken for years, he restores 
to the British list. Old authors give as a locality for this insect 
Salisbury Plain. Does any one search for it? I presume not; and 
it may occur there now for what we know to the contrary. 

I shall say a few words, more immediately on the “ blown-over” 
theory. The diurnal Lepidoptera, the Sphinges, the Bombycide and 
Noctuidz are the only families we need take into consideration ; the 
slightness of their structure and weakness of their flight being, to my 
idea, quite sufficient argument against any other species of the 
remaining families finding their way across the Channel. 

The Sphingide and Bombycidea, for the most part, are very strong 
of flight ; and examples of the former family have been taken far out 
at sea, I believe hundreds of miles from land. This may be urged in 
favour of the foreign origin of those species occasionally taken here ; 
_ but then it is very singular that only certain species should have such 
an erratic tendency. The Continent of Europe possessing many more 

species of the above families than are found here, it is also remark- 
able that we are not occasionally visited by other species than those 
which are the subject of doubt. If only from these ideas, I should 
feel much inclined to give all “doubtfuls” a place, until we are so 
well acquainted with their habits as to satisfy ourselves that they do 
not breed here. 

There is only one other point upon which I shall touch; it is that 
of insects surreptitiously introduced into this country, which had 
their birth, lived their little day, and died under the pin of a foreign 
hand, in a foreign country. There can only be one expression suit- 
able for a line of conduct descending to such trickery ; it is fraudu- 
lent; yet I firmly believe it is practised by some of our more unscru- 
pulous dealers. The insects we have at present in our lists are 
scarcely open to this objection, being species for the most part taken 
long before Entomology was made a regular trade as well as a 
Science; and all impositions might be effectually guarded against, if 
the peregrinations of the insect were traced to their original source, 
the captor. 

CHARLES MILLER. 


6824 Insects. 


A List of the described Longicornia of Australia. 
By Francis P. Pascor, Esq., F.L.S., &e. 


THE following list of the longicorn Coleoptera of Australasia has 
been drawn up in order to show, at one view, the extent of that 
portion of its insect-fauna, so far as it is known at present; and also 
with the hope of calling the attention of naturalists to the desirableness 
of such lists generally. The frequent re-issue of the Botanical 
Society’s ‘ List of British Plants’ and the four Catalogues of European 
Coleoptera, one of which has gone through eight editions, sufficiently 
attest their utility ; and it cannot be doubted, especially in the present 
diffused and disjointed state of zoological and botanical literature, that 
an extension of this class of small books would be a great boon to the 
student of natural science, and particularly to the investigator of the 
geographical distribution of species. 

There are about four hundred and twenty longicorns natives of 
Europe; the present list contains the names of two hundred and 
fifty-nine: looking to the nearly equal areas of the two regions, the 
more favourable climatic influences of Australia, and that our collec- 
tions have been derived principally from the Adelaide, Melbourne and 
Sydney districts, it may be fairly assumed that we are not yet 
acquainted with one half; as it is, the list might have been consider- — 
ably extended by the introduction of the unpublished species in our 
cabinets. 

The localities given in this list are only such as could be fully 
relied on, but it is interesting to mark the wide diffusion of many of © 
the species, notwithstanding we find that only two of them extend to 
New Zealand (Phoracantha dorsalis and Brachytria latebrosa), and 
one only (Phoracantha biguttata), if we except a doubtful Xystrocera, 
to New Guinea. Moreover, there are only two genera common to, 
and confined to, Australasia and New Zealand (Microtragus and 
Phlyctznodes), and two, in like manner, to Australasia and New Guinea 
(Meton and Symphyletes). Of course these remarks will, probably, 
have to be considerably modified when our knowledge becomes more 
extended. 


PRIONIDE. 
Notophysis lucanoides, Serv. Kangaroo Sceleocantha glabricollis, NMewm. Tas- 
Island. mania. 
Dorx pentamera, Newm. S. pilosicollis, Hope. Swan River. 


Toxeutes arcuatus, Newm. Tasmania. Mallodon spinosum, Newm. 


Insects. 


M. impar, Newm. 
M. figuratum, Pasc. 
M. stigmosum, Newm. 

Cnemoplites edulis, Newm. 

C. spinicollis, MeLeay. 

C. insularis, Hope. Port Essington. 
Macrotoma gemella, Pasc. Sydney. 
Rhipidocerus Australasie, Waterhouse. 
Tragocerus bidentatus, Don. 

T. fasciatus, Don. 

T. subfasciatus, Germ. Adelaide. 


Kangaroo Island, 


6825 


T. Spencei, Hope. Sydney, Adelaide. 

T. lepidopterus, Schreber. Sydney. 

Neostenus Saundersii, Pase. Melbourne. 

Distichocera par, Newm. Adelaide, Mel- 
bourne. 

D. maculicollis, Kirby. 

D. Kirbyi, Newm. Sydney. 

D. Macleayi, Newm. Sydney. 

D. Thomsonella, White. 

Pecilosoma metallicum, Newm. Tas- 
mania. 


CERAMBYCIDA. 


Didymocantha obliqua, Newm. 

D. scutellata, Hope. Melbourne, Syd- 
ney, Moreton Bay. 

D. thoracica, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

D. cylindricollis, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

D. cretifera, Hope. 


Piezarthrius marginellus, Hope. Swan 
River. 
Trichomesia Newmanni, Pasc. Mel- 


bourne, Sydney. 

Uracanthus triangularis, Hope. 

U. bivitta, Newm. Sydney, Moreton Bay. 

U. pallens, Hope. Tasmania. 

U. fusco-cinereus, White. Sydney. 

Scolecobrotus Westwoodii, Hope. Tas- 
mania. 

Stenochorus annulicornis, Germ. 
laide. 

Petalodes laminosus, Newm. Adelaide. 

P. plagiatus, White. 

Phoracantha hamata, Newm. 

P. gigas, Hope. 

P. lata, Hope. 

P. robusta, Germ. Adelaide. 

P. longipennis, Hope. Tasmania. 

P. tricuspis, Vewm. Sydney. 

P. punctata, Kirby. Sydney. 

P. obscura, Don. Sydney, Moreton Bay. 

P. Mitchellii, Hope. Swan River. 

P. semipunctata, F. Melbourne, Swan 
River. 

P. quinaria, Newm. Adelaide, Melbourne. 

P.recurva, Newm. Adelaide, Melbourne. 


XVIII. 


Ade- 


- Phlyctznodes pustulosa, Newm. 


. Inscripta, Germ. Adelaide. 

. acanthocerus, Hope. 

. trimaculata, Hope. Swan River. 

. allapsa, Newm. Adelaide, Tasmania. 
. vicina, Hope. Port Essington. 

. undulata, Hope. Swan River. 

. assimilis, Hope. Tasmania. 

. aberrans, Newm. 

senio, Newm. Adelaide, Melbourne. 
. unifasciata, Hope. 

. tunicata, Hope. 

. dorsalis, McLeay. Melbourne. 
impavida, Newm. 

. gracilis, Perroud. Tasmania. 

. Imbellis, Newm. Port Philip. 

. rubripes, Bots. 

P. biguttata, Don. Sydney, Moreton Bay. 
P. decora, Perroud. 


HHH y 


a Ba-Bas a e-) 


Tas- 
mania. 

P. pustulata, Hope. Richmond River. 

N. G. (Rhagiomorpha) unicolor, Hope. 
Port Essington. 

Stenoderus suturalis, Ol. Adelaide, Mel- 
bourne, Sydney. 

S. concolor, McLeay. Melbourne. 

S. ostricilla, Newm. 

S. maculicornis, W. W. Saund. 

Tritocosmia Roei, Hope. Swan River. 

T. atricilla, Newm. 

T. Digglesii, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

T. rubea, Pasc. Moreton Bay. 

T. paradoxa, Pasc. Melbourne. 


F 


6826 

Syllitus rectus, Newm. Adelaide, Mel- 
bourne. 

S. grammicus, Newm. Adelaide, Mel- 
bourne. 


S. preustus, Newm. 

Rhagiomorpha lepturoides, Bois. 
laide, Sydney. 

R. ? sordida, Newm. Adelaide. 

R. exilis, Pasc. Moreton Bay. 

Tricheops ephippiger, Newm. Sydney. 

Xystrocera virescens, Newm. Melbourne. 

X. Australasie, Hope. Port Essington. 

Cerambyx sericus, Newm. Sydney, Mel- 
bourne, Moreton Bay. 

C. Australasie, Hope. Port Essington. 

C. picipennis, Germ. Adelaide. 

C. turbinaticornis, Germ. Adelaide, Mel- 
bourne. 

C. ? lativitta, Newm. 

C. ? subserratus, Newm. 

Bardistus cibarius, Newm. 

Diotima undulata, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

Cyclodera quadrinotata, White. Perry 
Island. 

C. Angasii, White. Adelaide, Melbourne. 


Ade- 


Callichroma Cinderella, White. “N.E. 
Coast.” 

Necydalis? sidus, Newm. 

N. auricomus, Newm. 

Hesthesis variegatus, Newm. Sydney. 


H. bizonatus, Newm. 

H. cingulatus, Newm. Melbourne. 

H. meerens, Pase. Sydney. 

H. ferrugineus, McLeay. Moreton Bay. 

H. ornatus, W.W. Saund. Hunter’s River, 
Sydney. 

Agapete carissima, Newm. Melbourne. 

Tropis dimidiata, Newm. Sydney, More- 
ton Bay. 

T. oculifera, Newm. Tasmania. 

Bimia bicolor, White. Sydney, Moreton 
Bay. 

B. femoralis, VW. W. Saund. 

Eroschema Poweri, Pasc. 
Moreton Bay. 

Ischnotes cylindraceus, Newm. 
laide. 

I. Bakewellii, Pasc. 


Melbourne, 
Ade- 


Melbourne. 


Insects. 


Amphirhoé decora, Newm. Tasmania. 

Mecynopus cothurnatus, Er. Tas- 
mania. 

M. semivitreus, Pasc. Melbourne. 

Psilomorpha tenuipes, W. W. Saund. 

P. apicalis, Pasc. Moreton Bay. 

Macrones exilis, Newm. Tasmania. 

M. rufus, W. W. Saund. Hunter's River. 

M. elongaticeps, Homb. et Jacq. Tas- 
mania. 

Enchoptera apicalis, VW. W. Saund. Tas- 
mania. : 

E. nigricornis, W. W. Saund. New South 
Wales. 

Stephanops nasutus, Shuck. 
Moreton Bay. 

Brachopsis concolor, W. W. Saund. Tas- 
mania. 

Hemesthocera flavilinea, Newm. 

Ceresium? intortum, Newm. 

C.? vile, Newm. 

Obrium ibidionoides, Pasc. Sydney, Mel- 
bourne. 

Clytus thoracicus, Don. 
ton Bay. 

C. Curtisii, Lap. et Gory. 

C. D’Urvillei, Lap. et Gory. Moreton 
Bay. 

C. glaucinus, Bois. 

C. chrysoderes, White. 


Adelaide, 


Sydney, More- 


Moreton Bay. 


Tillomorpha mestula, White. Moreton 
Bay. 
Obrida fascialis, White. Melbourne. 


Pseudocephalus formicides, Newm. Mel- 
bourne. 

P. arietinus, Newm. Tasmania. 

Callidium simillimum, White. 
River. 

C. Cucujus, White. Sydney. 

C. cleroides, White. Melbourne. 

C. catoxanthum, White. Adelaide. 

C. erosum, McLeay. 

C.? artifex, Newm. 

C.? faber, Newm. Melbourne. 

C.? terebrans, Newm. 

C.? australe, Bois. 

C.? mororum, Bois. 

C.? funestum, Bois. 


Swan 


Insects. 


Callidiopis scutellaris, #. Melbourne. 

C. precox, Zr. Tasmania, Melbourne, 
Sydney. 

C. signifera, Newm. 
bourne. 

Phacodes obscurus, F. Tasmania, Mel- 
bourne, Swan River. 

P, personatus, #r. Tasmania, Melbourne. 

P. Essingtoni, Hope. Port Essington. 

P. Mossmanni, Newm. South Australia, 
Moreton Bay. 

N. G. (Rhagiomorpha) plagiata, Hope. 
Port Essington. ; 

Sophron inornatum, Newm. Melbourne. 

Omotes cucujides, Newm. Melbourne. 

O. punctissima, Newm. South Australia. 

O. erosicollis, Pasc. Melbourne. 

Pempsamacra dispersa, Newm. Adelaide, 
Melbourne. 


Tasmania, Mel- 


6827 


P. tillides, Newm. 

P. pygmza, Newm. Adelaide, Melbourne. 

P. vestita, Pasc. Melbourne. 

Tessaromma undatum, Newm. Adelaide, 
Melbourne, Sydney, Moreton Bay. 

Brachytria gulosa, Newm. Tasmania, 
Melbourne, Moreton Bay. 

B. latebrosa, Newm. Melbourne, Kan- 
garoo Island, Swan River. 

B. pulcherrima, Pasc. Moreton Bay. 

Pytheus jugosus, Newm. Sydney. 

Telocera Wollastoni, White. Sydney. 

Eburophora octoguttata, White. Mel- 
bourne. 

Temnosternus planiusculus, White. More- 
ton Bay. 

T. dissimilis, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

Enicodes Fichtelii, Schreb. Australia? 
(New Caledonia ?). 


LAMIID. 


Hebecerus australis, Bois. Adelaide, 
Melbourne. 

H. marginicollis, Bois. 

. crocogaster, Dup. 

. Sparsus, Reiche. 

. plumula, Newm. 

bourne. 

. lineola, Newm. 

. fuscicornis, Germ. Adelaide. 

. varicornis, Germ. Adelaide. 

Pentacosmia scoparia, Newm. 
bourne, Moreton Bay. 

Prosophus hollandicus, Bois. 

Dystheta anomala, Pasc. Moreton Bay. 

Platymopsis obliqua, Don. Moreton Bay. 

P. tuberculata, Hope. Port Essington. 

P. armatula, White. N. Australia. 

Symphyletes pedicornis, F. Sydney. 

8. Solandri, #. Sydney. 

S. puberea, Bots. Melbourne. 

S.nodosa, Newm. Sydney, Moreton Bay. 

S. humeralis, White. 

S. subtuberculata, White. 

S. maculicornis, Pase. Swan River. 

S. sodalis, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

S. cinnamomea, Pasc. Moreton Bay. 


Melbourne. 
Melbourne. 
Swan River. 
Tasmania, Mel- 


tort eee 


Mel- 


S. albocincta, Don. Sydney, Moreton 
Bay. 

S. lateralis, Pase. 

S. nigrovirens, Don. 
Bay. 

S. collaris, Don. “ Botany Bay.” 

Rhytiphora porphyrea, Don. Sydney, 
Moreton Bay. 

R. polymita, Pase. 

R. piperita, Hope. 

R. caprina, Newm. 


Swan River. 
Sydney, Moreton 


Moreton Bay. 
Port Essington. 


-R. mixta, Newm. 


R. cretata, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

Nyphona Bakewellii, Pase. Moreton Bay. 

Penthea vermiculata, Don. Sydney, 
Moreton Bay. 

P, Saundersii, Pasc. 

P. pardalis, Newm. 

P. granulosa, Guér. 

P. Sannio, Newm. 

Callipyrga turrita, Newm. Moreton Bay. 

Batocera rubus, F’. 

Monohammus lototephrus, Bois. More- 
ton Bay. 

M. desperatus, Thoms. 

M. argentatus, Hope. 


Swan River. 
Moreton Bay. 
Sydney. 


6828 Entomological Society. 


M. sericeus, D’'Urv. Melbourne. Notolophia bigibbera, Newm. — 
M. mixtus, Hope. N. dispersa, Pasc. N. Australia. 
M. togatus, Perroud. Apomecyna nigrita, Pasc. N. Australia. 
M. fistulator, Germ. Sydney. Ropira exorentroides, Pasc. Moreton 
Meton Digglesii, Pasce. Moreton Bay. Bay. 
Zygocera pruinosa, MeLeay. Sydney, Hathlia grammica, Pasc. N. Australia? 

Moreton Bay. H. lateralis, Hope. Port Essington. 
Z. Macleayi, Pasc. Sydney. H. murina, Pase. N. Australia. 
Z. pentheoides, Pase. Swan River. H. lineella, Hope. Port Essington. 
Z. canosa, Er. Tasmania. H. lacteola, Hope. Port Essington. 
Z. bifasciata, Pase. H. quadrilineata, Hope. Port Essington. 
Z. plumifera, Pase. Moreton Bay. H. melanocephala, Hope. Pt. Essington. 
Z. pumila, Pase. Moreton Bay. Anesthetis lepida, Germ. Adelaide. 
Z.? barbicornis, Pase. Illena exilis, Hr. Tasmania. 
Olenocamptus bilobus, F. Saperda paulla, Germ. Adelaide, Mel- 
Athemistus rugosulus, Guér. Sydney. bourne, Sydney, Moreton Bay. 
Microtragus amycteroides, Pasc. More-  S. funesta, Pase. Melbourne. 

ton Bay. Cylindrodema dira, Newm. Moreton 
Praonetha porosa, Fald. (Symphy- Bay. 

letes ?) Skeletodes tetrops, Newm. 


Francis P. PAscog. 
December, 1859. 


Proceedings of Societies. 


EntTomotoctcaL Society. 
November 7, 1859.—Dr. Gray, President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors : — ‘ Proceedings of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool, 
No. 13; presented by the Society. ‘Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Natu- 
ralistes de Moscou,’ 1858, Nos. 2,3 and 4; 1859, No.1; by the Society. ‘ Farm 
Insects,’ Part 6 ; by the Author, John Curtis, Esq., F.L.S. ‘The Zoologist’ for 
November; by the Editor. ‘ List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the 
Collection of the British Museum,’ Part 13—Pyvralides ; by the Author, Francis Walker, 
Esq., F.L.S. ‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ for October ; by the Society. ‘ The 
Atheneum’ for September; by the Editor. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for October; by 
the Editor. ‘Catalogus Hemipterorum, Herausgegeben von dem Entomologischen 
Verein zu Stettin;’ ‘Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, Nos. 7—9; by the Ento- 
mological Society of Stettin. ‘The Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer,’ Vol. vi. 
and Nos. 158—162; by H. T. Stainton, Esq. 


Entomological Society. 6829 


Election of a Subscriber. 


E. C. Rye, Esq., of King’s Road, Chelsea, was balloted for, and elected a Sub- 
scriber to the Society. 


Exhibitions. 


Mr. Waterhouse exhibited, on the part of Dr. Power, two new British species of 
Coleoptera, viz., Donacia obscura of Gyllenhal, Lacordaire, &c., determined by Mr. 
Waterhouse ; and Philonthus fuscus, Gravenh., determined by Dr. Power. The Do- 
nacia was sent to Dr. Power by Mr. Somerville, of Glasgow ; it is most nearly allied 
to D. Lemne, but is of an uniform bronze, inclining to lead-colour, has the posterior 
thighs more strongly dentate; the tarsi longer ; the third joint relatively rather longer, 
the punctures of the striz of elytra finer; the form of the hinder tibiz also differs, &c. 
Of the Philonthus there are two specimens, one taken at Shirley and the other at 
Merton, in July of the present year. 

Mr. Waterhouse then exhibited from his own collection :— 

1. A specimen of Philonthus fuscus, Grav., taken by him at Southend, at the be- 
ginning of September, 1858 ; it differs somewhat from Dr. Power's specimens (which 
have the thorax black, inclining to pitchy behind), in having the thorax red, with the 
fore-half pitchy ; this, it would appear from the descriptions, is the more common 
colour of the part in question. In all the specimens exhibited the elytra are red, 
with the apex pitchy. Mr. Waterhouse added that Mr. Douglas has also taken this 
insect. 

2. Tachinus laticollis, Grav., Kraate. Mr. Waterhouse stated that he is 
indebted to Mr. Constantine for a pair of this insect, which, according to Mr. Con- 
stantine, is not uncommon near Blackburn, in Lancashire. He had long searched for 
this insect in vain, both in the neighbourhood of London and in the New Forest, sus- 
pecting, from its range on the Continent, that it would be found here. By Erichson 
it is regarded as a variety of Tachinus marginellus, but it appears to Mr. Waterhouse 
that Dr. Kraatz is justified in again separating it asa species. Mr. Constantine, 
who takes both insects, states that he readily distinguishes them. 

3. -Tomoxia bucephala, Costa, Mulsant. = Mordella fasciata, Payk., Gyll. Mr. 
Waterhouse has seen this insect mixed with specimens of the Mordella fasciata, Fab., 
in several of the London collections. The Tomoxia is distinguished by differences in 
the structure of the antenne and by differences in the relative length of the inter- 
mediate tibie and tarsi; but the most obvious distinction is in the large size and 
nearly square form of the scutellum, which is emarginate behind. In Mordella the 
scutellum is small and triangular. 

4, Byturus fumatus, Linn. Like the preceding, seems to be confounded with a 
nearly allied species. It differs from M. tomentosus in having the elytra more elon- 
gate and the eye much larger; the antenne also are inserted close to the anterior 
angle of the eye, whilst in M. tomentosus they are somewhat remote from that organ. 

Tenebrio Molitor, specimens having deformities produced by injuries received by 
the larve. One specimen has the thorax shorter and broader than usual, and cor- 
responds most closely with the insect upon which Mr. Stephens founds his Tenebrio 
laticollis; this type-specimen is evidently deformed. One specimen, exhibited by 
Mr. Waterhouse, had not the full number of joints to the antenne, and the joints 


6830 Entomological Society. 


forming the club were much deformed, and more or less anchylosed. A second speci- 
men was remarkable only for having one of the hind legs much smaller than the 
other. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited a box of Coleoptera, chiefly Geodephaga, taken in the 
neighbourhood of Rio, by Mr. Squire. 

Mr. Syme exhibited a beautiful drawing of the larva of Sphinx Convolvuli, drawn 
from Nature by Mrs. Syme; he also exhibited the following Lepidoptera, taken during 
the past season on the South Coast, viz., Leucania vitellina, Heliothis armigera, 
Ennomos fuscantaria and Phibalapteryx gemmaria. 

Mr. Bond exhibited a fine Phycis, new to this country, taken in Dorsetshire by 
the Rev. Mr. Green; and a specimen of Ancylocheira fasciata, Fab., found alive in 
Oxford Street, in July last. , 

Mr. Janson exhibited a specimen of Hydrochus carinatus, Germar, a species new 
to the British list, one of two taken by Mr. T. P. Dossetor, at the beginning of May 
last, in Holme Fen, Huntingdonshire ; and an example of Mycetophagus quadrigut- 
tatus, Miller (M. pubescens, Steph.), found about three weeks since, by Mr. R. 
M‘Lachlan, in a fungus on an oak, near Beckenham, Kent, and remarked that the 
present individual, one in the cabinet of the late Mr. Stephens, from the neighbour- 
hood of Portsmouth, and one taken by Mr. Waterhouse, in the corridor of the Crystal 
Palace, at Sydenham, in April, were the only indigenous examples of this species he 
had yet seen. 

Mr. Stainton exhibited some specimens of Micro-Lepidoptera, collected in South 
Africa by Mr. Trimen, amongst which was a beautiful Neurophora, which, unlike the 
known species of that genus, was adorned with elegant markings ; some specimens of 
the genus Coleophora, though in bad condition, were interesting as the first extra- 
European examples of that genus which had been met with. 

Mr. Stainton also exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Birks, of York, a specimen of An- 
chocelis rufina, with an expanded tuft of hairs inserted beneath the abdomen, on the 
side of the third segment; a similar brush had existed on the opposite side, but had 
become detached whilst being microscopically examined. Mr. Stainton said it had 
been suggested that this was a peculiarity of the male A. rufina, and Mr. McLachlan 
remarked that he had noticed it in other specimens. 

Mr. Trimen exhibited some apparently nondescript Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, 
from South Africa. 

Dr. Allchin exhibited an example of Luperina Dumerilii, taken at Brighton on the 
26th September last. 

Mr. Pascoe exhibited some longicorn beetles sent from Batchian by Mr. A. R. 
Wallace, and furnished the following characters of two of the species :— 


CERAMBYX AUREIPENNIS. 


C. ater; prothorace elongato, mutico, antice angustato, disco tuberculis tribus 
nitidis ; elytris sericeo-aurantiacis ; antennis corpore brevioribus. Long. 
8 lin. Batchian. 


TMESISTERNUS LOTOR. 


T. oblongo-ovatus, fulvo-brunneus ; capite, prothorace, elytris plagis tribus anticis, 
fascia post-mediana, maculisque apicalibus flavo-griseis ; geniculis nigris. 
Long. 9 lin. Batchian. 


Entomological Society. 6831 


Mr. G. Wailes communicated the following :— 


Rhododendrons and their Enemies. 


“Mr. Noble’s communication, as to the destruction done to his Rhododendrons, 
reminds me of the doings of the larva of Mamestra Brassice amougst mine. Many 
years ago when the variety was scarce in gardens, these larve nearly ate up the whole 
of the young foliage of a plant of Rhododendron caucasicum album in a very few 
days, and on detecting the mischief I picked off some dozens of them. Since that 
time I have occasionally seen marks of their handiwork on the lower leaves of R. pon- 
ticum, especially where the branches swept the surface of the turf. This year they 
have flown at nobler game, and made sad havoc in a house which I have devoted to 
the growing of the Sikhim aud Bhootan species. My collection of these fine plants 
wants only some three or four to include in it all the introduced species, and consists 
of more than a hundred plants. I mention this to show that the larve had full choice 
of food before them, whilst their attacks have been confined to the following,—glau- 
cum, barbatum, Maddeni, Hookeri, Windsori and Jenkinsi, and of these the plants 
were scattered about in different parts of the house, intermingled with the other sorts. 
I need hardly add that the mischief was done at night, and evidently by larve 
of nearly full growth, as may be seen by the leaves I enclose, and, as I found to be 
the case, when I managed to capture the offenders. My impression is that a female 
moth had gained access by the open windows, and had deposited her eggs on some 
other plants in the house, and I noticed that some young Chinese primroses, &c., had 
their leaves partially eaten, which I concluded was the work of small slugs, and that 
it was not till other food failed, or the larve had acquired a taste for roaming, that 
they had recourse to the Rhododendrons. I have also observed that the larva of some 
Tortrix attacks and twists up the small leaves which terminate the growth of such 
species as R. Dalhousiz, Edgworthii and formosum, but have not yet succeeded in 
rearing the species. The damage is very trifling, as they don’t appear to meddle with 
the dormant buds. 

* Another curious circumstance connected with these plants I have noticed as regards 
the habits of what is termed “ the white scale,” a species of Aspidiotus. This pest, as 
is well known to all plant growers, confines its attacks almost exclusively to the under 
sides of leaves, where it often escapes the vigilance of the gardener. In the case of 
one of my plants of R. Edgworthii, from a nursery, it had established itself on the upper 
surface along the midrib, and on the depressed veins caused in this species by the 
bullate areoles of its beautiful leaves. To this locality it had evidently been driven by 
the thick tomentum which covers the stems and under sides of the leaves, and so pre- 
vents its attaching itself to the surface of the leaf itself. Here, unfortunately for its 
safety, it at once strikes the eye and is readily destroyed. 

“ The very young leaves of several of the species have suffered also from the doings 
of the larve of one of the Tenthredinidez, I think an Athalia, which in summer 
attacks almost all plants under glass, and seems a general feeder, eating the leaves 
half through from the under side. This I will endeavour to rear, notwithstanding the 
almost irresistible inclination one naturally feels to be rid of it, and to ascertain what 
it really is.” 


6832 Entomological Society. 


A paper by Mr. S. Stone was read, entitled 


Facts connected with the History of a Wasp’s Nest ; with Observations on Ripiphorus 
paradoxus. 


Tn this paper Mr. Stone shows that having taken a nest of Vespa vulgaris, and 
having destroyed the entire community, he placed it in an apartment near to a com- 
munity of the same species, which he had previously obtained; that members of the 
latter community at once proceeded to feed the grubs in the stranger-nest, and to 
construct a covering, which they completed in about a week. At the end of three 
weeks Mr. Stone found, to his surprise, that the cells were occupied with eggs and 
pup in every stage of growth; and as by that time all the eggs and pupz in the 
nest, when first taken, must have been either full grown and spun up, or must have 
become perfect wasps, it was clear that all those observed in the cells must have been 
deposited subsequently to the nest, having been taken. 

As none of the wasps driven out of the nest when this excommunication took 
place were queens, all being of the ordinary size of workers, Mr. Stone concludes that 
the eggs were those of workers, and as the whole brood which were subsequently 
developed were workers, it appeared that the results went partly to confirm Dr. 
Ormerod’s observations, published in the ‘ Zoologist,’ last August, namely, that 
workers deposit eggs which produce workers ; Dr. Ormerod, however, obtained males 
as well as workers from a nest which was deprived of its queen. The latter writer 
having removed a nest from a shrub, found that three or four straggling workers recon- 
structed the nest, and both eggs and grubs were found in it; this nest was also 
removed, and a third was constructed by a few workers and eggs deposited in 
the cells ; not one wasp being observed or found in the nest. Mr. Stone also found 
numbers of Ripiphorus paradoxus, a beetle parasitic in nests of Vespa vulgaris: the 
discovery was too late in the season for Mr. Stone to observe in what manner 
the young grub of the beetle obtained its nourishment; one fact was, however, 
noticed, — that Ripiphorus is covered in the cell of the wasp, in the same way as the 
pupa of the latter insect, by a silken convex cap. 

Mr. Smith observed that doubtless every entomologist was acquainted with the ~ 
details of Professor Siebold’s work on ‘A True Parthenogenesis,’ in which the won- 
derful but simple means were detailed whereby the eggs of the queen bee were ren- 
dered capable of producing fertile females and workers; and, having read Dr. 
Ormerod’s highly interesting paper on the Vespide (Zool. 6641), in which the author 
apparently proves that worker wasps can and do deposit eggs which develope workers 
and also males, and having heard in Mr. Stone’s paper a strong corroborative case 
described, he naturally was led to ask the question,—Is the wasp, then, differently 
organized to the honey-bee? This question he was not in a position to answer. 

It did appear, as a thing proved, that worker wasps, without a possibility of copu- 
lation, were capable of depositing eggs, and that those eggs developed both workers 
and males. That no copulation could have taken place was proved by the fact that 
not a single male was developed until six weeks later in the season. Another 
question forced itself upon his mind, as to whether parthenogenesis, as detailed by 
Siebold in reference to impregnation, applied equally to the social Vespide as to the 
social honey-bee ; in fact, was it a general law applying to all social hymenopterous 
insects? The details before the Meeting appeared to give an answer in the negative. 


Birds. 6833 


Mr. Smith further observed that, for his own part, he could not, as the question 
stood, but think that there had been some defective observation, and that further and 
more close attention to the subject might possibly prove this to have been the case. 
Dr. Ormerod got over the difficulty by supposing some of the small queens—or large 
workers, as they in fact are—hybernated throughout the winter, being, like the queens, 
impregnated the previous season ; but to this Mr. Smith could not assent ; it was con- 
trary to the observations of all previous observers. He had himself found, during his 
researches the last twenty years, great numbers of hybernating wasps, but all had been 
the large queens: he had never known of a single worker having been thus discovered. 
If worker wasps hybernated, and were capable of continuing their kind, whence any 
necessity for queen-wasps at all >—£. S. 


Notes on the Mountain Birds of Jamaica. 
By W. Ossorn, Esq.* 


“ Dover, Metcalfe, Jamaica, 
November 29, 1859. 


“ My dear Sir,—The notes I proposed sending you related to bats— 
not, [ am sorry to say, to the ‘ Dolphin’s Head.’ I visited it during 
the first few months of my residence in the island. My acquaintance 
with its Ornithology was then only commencing, and an important 
engagement obliged me to hurry through my tour as rapidly as pos- 
sible. I only spent a couple of nights there, and the intervening day 


was fully occupied in the ascent for the view. Indeed I have not a 


single note about birds, though I have since had reason to suppose 
there was much that would have repaid investigation. I noticed 
many remarkable plants there I have not seen elsewhere, and among 
others a Melastomaccous tree, with large white flowers, closely allied 
to Blakea trinerva (?), whose rose-coloured blossoms are so common in 
lofty woods; and my host pointed out to me some large trees which 
Mr. Purdie, the well-known botanist, when there, had assured him had 


never been described, for, being something of a botanist himself, he 
_took an amusing pride as the possessor of trees Science knew nothing 


about. This, however, I noticed, that the white tertiary limestone 
extended to the top, or so far as I went, and it must therefore be by 
yf the loftiest peak of this formation. 

“My reasons for asking you about your hae aan Dr. Hopman S 
MSS. were two. In the first place, we have, as I anticipated, in the 
mountains of the east end, another dove. I have not been able to 
ascend the mountain woods at this season myself, and the confusion 


* Communicated by P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.R.S. 
XVIII. G 


6834 Birds. 


is great between ‘Mountain Witch’ and ‘ Blue Dove.’ A number of 
Geotrygon sylvatica* were brought to me as ‘Blue Doves;’ the _ 
“Mountain Witch’ was then said to be quite different,—dark blue, 
with a red ‘ mouth ;’ other negroes, on the contrary, reverse the names. 
But I think we shall probably find that it is another Geotrygon, which 
you heard of as the ‘Blue Partridge.’ But my second reason was, 
that I saw a note in the ‘ Transactions of the Jamaica Society of 
Arts,’ enquiring after the volumes, accompanied by a statement that 
on the dissolution of the ‘ Jamaica Society,’ they were handed over to 
Dr. Macfadyen to be presented to the old Doctor’s College library— 
Glasgow, I think. Dr. Macfadyen soon after died, and these valuable 
notes had never since been heard of. I am afraid the old Doctor is a 
lost classic ; all we shall ever know of him is contained in your plates 
and ‘quotations, o.<.2.¢ 4, eee ORL : 

“ With regard to the Convolvuli, &c., you mondiale as climbing over 
dry-built walls in mountain districts, it may perhaps be of some interest 
if I mention that in the Freeman’s Hall district I do not know a single 
instance, with one exception, of a stone wall. They are among the 
few architectural but very characteristic remains of slavery. ‘To build 
them now is vastly beyond the means of the present proprietary, even 
if the labour could be got at any price; rarely more is done than just 
keep them in repair, and very often I have seen them used to mend 
the roads. Freeman’s Hall was standing forest till after Emancipation, 
consequently the gigantic trunks of the ancient woods still lie decaying 
across the oldest clearings. If fences are wanted, live-hedges are 
resorted to, as much cheaper; so that the particular plants you 
mention scarcely exist there. : 

“The mountains of the transition Beiee as Sir H. os la Beche has 
termed it, here come down so close to the sea, that there is, so to 
speak, only room for a single estate between this and their base. 
This little strip of sea-bord lies extremely low, and is very badly 
drained, forming a chain of swamps and lagoons just behind the 
beach. Just here, by draining, it has been rendered fit for canes; 
but the water, as numerous aquatic plants show, always stands stagnant 
to some depth in the trenches. Over these pieces, when the mornings 
are bright, Acanthylis comes down (I presume from the lofty mountains 
behind) in larger numbers than I have ever before seen. I hear them. 
arrive, screaming, just after daybreak, and when I get out find them busy 


2 


* Some excellent naturalists in using this name of mine, have altered “ sylvatica” 
to “sylvaticum,” as if I had been guilty of a false concord. But as Tevyav, a dove, is 
a feminine and not a neuter noun, I must protest against the alteration.—P. A. G. 


Birds. 6835 


hawking over these particular pieces. I have been unable to shoot 
one to ascertain what is the attraction. But [ may mention that fine 
calm weather on the north-east coast is, I am assured, most un- 
usual during these ‘northy’ months, and probably a very considerable 
hatch of insects, whose larve are aquatic, takes place during the 
warm bright mornings succeeding a ‘north:’ they remain for about a 
couple of hours, and then disappear for the rest of the day. But I 
propose reserving for my next letter some notice of the birds which 
frequent this north-eastern sea-bord during the winter months, and 
devoting the present one to a few remarks on the flight and habits of 
a bird an ordinary observer would not fail to remark had many striking 
points of resemblance to Acanthylis; I mean Chordeiles Virginianus. 
You will not, I hope, think it superfluous, if, as a standard of com- 
parison, I first of all advert to a few well-known characteristics of the 
habits and structure of the Hirundinide. I have seen it stated that 
the unusual dilatation of the cesophagus in these birds at the point 
it leaves the fauces is a contrivance which serves as a crop. I do not 
know whether this opinion is one generally received, but I do not 
think it could be at all confirmed by observations on our swallows 
here: it is generally quite empty, even though the stomach be 
crammed, or sometimes there is a single insect evidently taken at the 
moment the bird was shot, or more rarely four or five insects, but then 
I remark that the whole are of one species. I have a note made at 
the time where this was the case in an H. euchrysea I shot after ob- 
serving it some time. In this instance they were all a small species 
of Ichneumonide. Now this would look, not as if the dilated ceso- 
phagus served as a crop, but as if the interval occupied in snapping 
up the five insects was so short that there was not time for swallowing 
the first before the fifth had joined it, which can rarely be the case, 
except in a swarm of insects. Now I think the Naturalist of Selborne 
long ago made the remark that swallows may very frequently be ob- 
served to take insects so rapidly one after the other that it is evident 
the bird must have had both or all in its eye, so to speak, at the same 


timé; but to accomplish this it is obvious how important it is to the 


bird to be able to move with a certain velocity, otherwise before he 
came up the relative positions of the floating points would have 
materially changed. With a body moving freely through a fluid this 
velocity could in no other way be so easily acquired or maintained as 
by keeping for certain distances in one direction, or by impetus, and 
accordingly, as is well known, the flight of swallows is very generally 


a swoop in a straight line, or a curve of great length, then a rapid turn 


6836 Birds. 


and the same manceuvres are repeated in an opposite direction. And 
thus we may observe in the well-known structure of the swallow the 
utmost care lavished in the most minute particulars that impetus may 
be economized in every possible way. The flatness of the crown, the 
puffiness of the Joral and gular feathers, leaving no angles about the 
bill, the peculiar curve of the ventral surface, carried by the lengthening 
of the under tail-coverts with a clean sweep to the tail, and above all 
the reduction of the mass of the plumage by the diminution of the size 
of each feather, which have their exposed surfaces polished,—con- 
trivances all evidently tending to the same end. What is the distance 
at which a swallow can see an insect we can of course only surmise, 
for the ray reflected from these minute points floating in the air is not 
perceptible to the human eye during ordinary daylight, but if the 
insect intercept the ray, then its vibrating gauzy wings enable us to 
see it at a considerable distance. On a bright, calm evening, I find, 
when looking towards the sun, I can see very small floating insects at 
ten or twelve yards. May we suppose the eye of the swallow has the 
same power where the ray is reflected? And further it may be 
remarked that, in accordance with this mode of taking prey, swallows 
very rarely pause in their flight or raise the wings above the plane of 
the back. On the contrary, the tips of the motionless extended wings 
are usually rather depressed (in the swifts remarkably so), or having 
gained the required impetus by a number of vigorous strokes, they 
shoot along with the wing much bent at the flexure,—a position in 
which it seems to offer least impediment to the onward rush, and is 
still available for modulating it in the most delicate manner. 

“The flight of these birds was thus to be adapted to pass in suc- 
cession through a certain number of floating points. To do this a ~ 
certain velocity was necessary, as the points are moving in every direc- 
tion. But this velocity supposes, in such circumstances, the constant 
acquireiment of a certain amount of impetus,—a force very favourable 
to the bird, for it counteracts other opposing forces and greatly relieves 
it. Every care is therefore taken to preserve it, by structure and 
direction of flight. It also leaves the bird the use of its wings to 
modulate with great exactitude this direction in a greater degree 
doubtless than with the generality of birds, as we know that a ship 
with a certain amount of ‘way’ will steer best. As we have every 
reason to believe that a certain appreciable time is necessary for a ray 
of light to make a distinct impression on the organs of other animals, 
exactly as with our own, it follows that the rays whose direction.-is 
parallel to the course of the bird will dwell longest on the eye, and 


Birds. 6837 


those perpendicular to this course shortest. The objects, therefore, 
in front will be distinct; the lateral ones distinguished with difficulty. 
Without, therefore, attempting too vigorous a definition, we may say 
that the flight of a swallow is on the plan of a straight line or length- 
ened curve passing through a certain number of points; and, to accom- 
plish this, advantage is taken of two great physical laws,—one of 
dynamics, that a body moving in one direction will acquire an impetus, 
—and the other a Jaw of optics, that rays of light require a certain 
time to make a distinct impression on the retina. Now in this mode of 
taking living prey in the air, wonderful as is its efficacy, there is one 
condition absolutely necessary to its success: there must be a certain 
amount of light. If we reduce the light the range of the swallow’s 
sight will be in proportion curtailed till, though he may take one in- 
sect, he will not be able, at the same time, to have his eye upon one 
beyond it, and will therefore feed much slower. If the light be 
still further reduced, the impetus, so important before, will absolutely 
be in the bird’s way, for the range of sight will be so short that it will 
be carried past the insect before it has time to direct its motion so as 
to take it. If, on a calm evening, when the piramidigs (Chordeiles) 
are busy overhead, we go out and attempt to see an insect, even in 
the most favourable positions, it will be understood how very small an 
amount of light is requisite to these birds to catch an immense number 
of their minute prey. It becomes, therefore, very interesting to attempt 
to trace, as far as observation enables us, the mode in which this new 
condition of the bird’s existence has been’provided for and met. 

“The increased size of the eye and gape do not need comment. 
This is accompanied also by a great increase in the size of the feathers, 
by which the bulk of the plumage, relatively to the body of the bird, 
is rendered much greater than with the swallow. The tail-feathers are 
much produced, so that though the total length of Chordeiles is half 
an inch more than that of Acanthylis, the real length of the body is 
half an inch shorter. 

“ By this arrangement it is obvious that the bird will suffer a great 
loss in impetus. It could not move at the rate of a swallow, without 
vastly greater exertion, but in exact proportion it has gained in buoy- 
ancy, and can turn, stop, move suddenly, laterally, or up or down, in a 
manner that would require with the latter the most vigorous muscular 
exertion, impossible to be long continued. The use to which the 
piramidig puts his new power appears to be this; the shortening of 
his range of sight by the diminished light is compensated by the in- 
creased number of rays that are useful to him. Te is moving very 


6838 Birds. 


slowly, pausing often on upraised wings. The lateral and oblique 
rays, to the swallow indistinct, to him are clear and accurate. His 
increased buoyancy enables him to change his direction exactly as he 
pleases: hence he jerks to one side, takes an insect; jerks back again, 
takes another; drops down several feet, stops with a jerk and takes a 
third; in finé, as the light diminishes, his contortions, zigzags, jerks, 
swoops, irregular movements of every sort, become more and more 
violent, till one can scarcely believe they are performed with the per- 
fect ease to these curious birds which their long continuance and 
analogy on every side assure us they must be: and as we may define 
the mode of hunting of the Hirundinide to be by straight lines of 
vision or a pencil of rays of great length but small angle, so that of 
the long-winged Caprimulgide is by hemispheres of vision or pencils 
of rays of much shorter length, but of much greater angle. And this 
explanation of the peculiar mode of hunting with the piramidigs 
seems to receive considerable confirmation from similarity of move- 
ment in the high-flying bats, by which they are so frequently joined 
—a species, as I believe, of Chilonycteris. The bat pursues a direct 
course, subject to very frequent and violent divergences laterally and 
downwards. If we wished to represent the waves of sound reaching 
the ear of the bat from a number of insects among which it was 
passing, it would be of course by a number of converging lines, 
exactly as rays of light from the same insects to the eye of a 
piramidig. 

“Though during the spring and summer months the appearance of 
the piramidigs, both in mountain and lowlands, is almost constant, 
their maneuvres are by no means always the same. Generally a 
single bird first appears, uttering its harsh but not unpleasant rattle, 
takes a long sweep, pauses on raised wings, plunges, and sweeps on 
again. I have often then remarked that the flight may be represented 
by a series of rises and falls, the cry always commencing exactly be- 
fore the bird reaches the turning points. The blowing noise is pro- 
duced by one of these falls of unusual depth, which I estimate 
variously from fifty to a hundred and fifty feet, the sound occurring at 
the curve of recovery, which the bird makes with great rapidity. The 
original height is then gained by a rise or two higher than the suc- 
ceeding falls. It is worthy of remark, as showing the difference in 
buoyancy of the two species, that during the great descent very con- 
siderable action of the wings is observable in Chordeiles, and an 
oscillation amounting to a half or quarter turn of the body in alternate 
directions, reminding us of ‘ shooting’ rooks, but the same manceuvre 


Birds. 6839 


is performed by Acanthylis without any apparent motion of the wings 
—a simple downward plunge owing its rapidity to impetus and gravi- 
tation alone. Whilst the first piramidig is pursuing this erratic course 
its cries will be answered by a second and perhaps a third, which will 
gradually approach with similar movements. If they do this they will 
generally take a wide sweep and disappear, to be succeeded by others 
or return after a time. But very often a much larger number of birds 
may be seen steadily moving over a much more circumscribed space. 
I have seen them amount to as many as about thirty, but generally 
less. Not a sound is uttered; the birds beat over their chosen ground 
unceasingly ; they are evidently busy feeding, and it is then some of 
the most remarkable points of their flight may be best observed. It 
was out of.a flock of this sort I shot one some time after sunset, whilst 
they were beating over a steep narrow valley peculiar to the porphy- 
ritic conglomerate, close to the ‘ Bull’s Head, in Clarendon. On 
dissection I found the capacious stomach stuffed to protuberance with 
the winged portion of a community of small red ants. Though there 
were a very great number of insects, and all in a perfectly uninjured 
state, I could not detect a single individual of another species among 
them. It would of course not be safe to lay too much stress on two 
solitary examples, but it is very remarkable that in the one dissected 
by yourself (‘Birds of Jamaica,’ p. 40) the contents of the stomach 
should prove ‘almost (if not quite)’ composed of a single species of 
beetle, whereas in mine they were a single species of ant. The only 
inference which it seems possible to draw from this, as we know many 
species of insects are appropriate food to these birds, is, that (like 
Acanthylis) they are swarm-destroyers: hence their beating over cir- 
cumscribed spaces, as over the steep little valley I observed, or the 
clump of flowering trees noted by Mr. Hill (p. 39), or, as it may be 
often also remarked, over a pond or water in some shape. Now, as 
far as I am able to observe, a swarm of insects, though often quite 
irregular in shape, frequently assume a spherical or ellipsoid form, the 
major axis vertical; and this, it is obvious, will frequently be the case 
where a common object of attraction, as a pond or particular tree, 
keeps the insects together, and still more where, as in the swarming of 
an immense formicary, the attraction of the insects is for each other, 
A section of such a swarm may then be represented by a circular line. 
In the instance I have above alluded to there were with Chordeiles, 
even at that late hour, two or three Acanthylis feeding on the same 
prey, and it becomes very interesting thus to compare, on the spot, the 
motions of the two species. On arriving at the edge of the swarm, as 


6340 Birds. 


is well known, the almost constant habit of the Hirundinide is to make 
a very rapid wheel, one wing much depressed, so that the whole ex- 
panse takes an oblique direction. The object of this is sufficiently 
obvious, viz. to reverse the direc- 
tion of flight with the least pos- 
sible exertion and the greatest 
possible economy of impetus. 
We know that in skating, and 
many other examples besides 
from theory, there is none so 
efficacious as this. 
' But the piramidig, as has been 
| before shown, has no impetus, 
Te he dashing about in 
every direction, and if he has 
had no reason for preserving it, 
and consequently goes the sim- 
plest way to work, by a single 
blow of the wings bolts round at an angle. It is this angular turn 
that is one of the chief distinctions between the flight of the two 
birds. Now let us suppose that a piramidig enters the swarm at the 
point A of the circle I have drawn: he zigzags, tumbles and jerks in 
a tolerably straight line till he arrives at B. Here he finds himself at 
the edge of the swarm; the insects become very scattered, so he bolts 
round at an angle; but it is of course of some consequence what sort 
of an angle this is. Suppose he did not turn enough—made the angle 
too obtuse—it is obvious that he would go out of the swarm to D; if the 
angle were too acute, that, like a swallow, he would return nearly on 
his former course. But this he does not do, and we can easily under- 
stand that his dashes and flutterings have created far more havoc and 
dismay than the rapid glide of the other: he therefore takes any other 
angle between these two. Let us suppose a right angle or something 
like it. He dashes on in the same way till he comes to the point c. 
Now it is plain if he made a right angle again it would take him out 
of the circle; he therefore makes any angle less than a right angle, and 
arrives at A again. Of course these angles may be constantly varied, 
but they will tend to equal two right angles. But, I would remark, 
this mode of flight is by no means constant, and can be only occa- 
sionally observed, perhaps partly from the difficulty of keeping in the 
mind the bird’s previous courses ; but it will be seen, that,—provided 
the requisite data be present,— 


Birds. 6341 


“1. That the swarm of insects is spheroid, which it will constantly 
tend to be for the reasons before given. 

“2. That the mean of the divergences of the bird’s flight equals a 
tolerably straight line, which we may observe it very often does, 
because, as has been shown, the bird’s attention is directed laterally 
as much to one side as the other. 

“3. That in making the angle at the circumference it will be such 
that he shall keep nearest the middle and densest portion of the 
swarm, but furthest from his own previous course. 

“Then it is mathematically certain his flight will be in triangles, as 
your observant coadjutor Mr. Hill long ago remarked. It is quite im- 
possible for us to devise a plan by which, with less loss of time, he 
could keep so constantly near the middle and distant from his pre- 
vious flight. I need hardly add that the triangle is by no means 
always equilateral, as, for the sake of clearness, I have given it. 

“ T have never been able to ascertain anything respecting the diurnal 
repose of these birds; but large cotton trees have been pointed out, 
whence, the neighbours assured me, the piramidigs were seen to issue 
every evening. The universal negro answer is, ‘ Him no go in tree and 
lie down, like a galliwasp?’ This would not be of much value were it 
not for your observation of this habit.* It seems to me that this is 
really the normal mode of repose, not only if we consider its efficacy, 
but from the peculiar formation of the foot, which, as is well known, 
has the short hallux placed very laterally. In the short-winged 
Caprimulgus I have met with, the tarsus-joint is also worn as if it were 
constantly rested on. 

“ Very faithfully yours, 


“ W. OsBuRn. 
“To P. H. Gosse, Esq.” 


a 


A List of the Birds of Banffshire, accompanied with Anecdotes. 
By Tuomas Epwarp. 


(Continued from page 6672.) 


Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). Several of these sparkling gems have 
been taken here at different times. 


* See‘ Birds of Jamaica, p.37. I shot a night-hawk by day, resting lengthwise on 
a branch of a tree. See also the remarks of Mr. Bartlett on the European nightjar, in 
the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 445), “It is a constant habit of these birds to perch lengthwise, 
with the head lowest,—that is, inwards to the tree." —P. H. G. 


XVIII. H 


6842 Birds. 


Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Martin (H. riparia). These birds 
are in about equal numbers. The latter generally nestles in the 
corners of windows, the former in barns, &c.; they also breed 
along the sea-shore wherever there is a cave or projecting rock suit- 
able. White and cream-coloured varieties are sometimes met with. 

Sand Martin (1. urbica). Wherever there is a bank of any height 
and not too hard, whether along the sea-shore or river-side, or a 
quarry or sand-hole, a colony of these active little creatures are almost 
sure to be met with during summer. It is surprising to see how they 
perforate these places, and the depth to which they will sometimes 
go, especially when we consider the remarkably feeble instruments 
they do it with—a very small and slender bill, and feet equally small 
_ and tender; but it is Nature, and all her works are wonderful har- 
monious, beautiful and sublime. 

Swift (Cypselus apus). Of all our migratory species this is gene- 
rally the first to depart and the last to arrive. Next to the skylark 
the swift appears to ascend highest in his aérial flights; and a very 
beautiful sight it is to see it, on a clear, still evening, hawking and 
gamboling about so far above the earth, and, it may be, screaming 
its farewell requiem to the departing sun. The swift, as I have 
already stated, is the first to depart, that is, generally towards the end 
of August or beginning of September, and returns about the middle 
of May ; the sand martin next, or about the second or third week in 
September, and usually returns about the third week in April; and 
the swallow and house martin commonly about the first week or 
middle of October, and reappears about the Ist of May. There is an 
old nest, a sparrow’s I believe, under the roof of a house here, in 
which a pair of swifts has bred for the last twenty-two years, and how 
long before I cannot tell. Ido not say that they have always been 
the same birds; but that a pair have done so for the time stated I 
am quite certain. 

Before I part with this interesting tribe I must become a -little 
arithmetical. We are frequently told, and justly, of the great benefit 
swallows and other insect- feeders do, by the countless herds of 
noxious creatures which they destroy ; and I will relate an instance 
of my own experience in this respect. Picking up a swallow which 
had been shot by a friend, I found that its mouth was crammed with 
flies, some of which were alive, and all seemed attached to the mouth 
by a glutinous fluid. The bird had apparently been catering for its 
young. Being desirous of making a further examination, I wrapped 
it in paper and put it in my pocket. On reaching home I opened the 


Birds. 6843 


paper, when a number of the flies buzzed out into my face, much to 
my regret; but I succeeded in counting upwards of 70, and I am 
quite sure there were more than 100 in all, but, in order to be under 
the mark, we will say there were 70. Now, it is a well-known fact 
that both birds assist in rearing their young. Well, say that they 
visit the nest every ten minutes (which is likewise under the mark), 
and that every time of doing so each bird conveys 70 insects; this in an 
hour amounts to 840 ; in a day of twelve hours, which is but a short 
day for a swallow at that season of the year, to 10,080; in a week of 
seven days, to 70,560; and in a fortnight, to 141,120. Now, I think 
this is a pretty good number for the short space of fourteen days. 
But if we carry the calculation a little further, by supposing that the 
birds rear two broods in a season, although the number is often 
three, we have, at the ratio at which we have been counting, a total 
of 282,240 insects destroyed by two birds alone in rearing their 
two broods. It may be said that this is nothing in comparison with 
the countless numbers of insects which are constantly springing into 
life during summer. Granted. But let it be borne in mind that I 
have only been speaking of a single pair of birds, and that, too, on a 
very limited scale, and exclusive of their own keep. If one pair of 
birds can do so much, what will not ‘the thousands of swallows and 
other insectivorous species do? Most of the insects in the mouth of 


the one in question consisted of gnats, &c. 


Nightjar (Caprimulgus europeus). Of late years this species 
would appear to have become more numerous, but it is still very far 
from being plentiful. 

Ring Dove (Columba palumbus), or, as we have it, Cushie Doe. 
This bids fair to be one of the greatest pests the farmer will have to 
encounter with respect to his crops. They have increased amazingly 
within the last few years, and the damage they do is incalculable. 
This increase is caused by the almost total destruction of the hawk 
tribe, which aided greatly to thin their numbers. 

Rock Dove (C. livia). A few pairs frequent and breed in the 
caverns along our coast, one at Melrose being the most noted. It is 
a rare case, however, to get a pure specimen, as domestic pigeons 
from the farms near sometimes breed with them. I have seen white 
specimens, as well as those of a sand-colour. 

Turtle Dove (C. turtur). Three or four specimens of this species 
are said to have been seen, and some of them obtained, within the 
county, but whether wild ones, or individuals that had escaped, has 


not been ascertained. 


6844 Birds. 


Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Introduced, but seems to thrive 
very well, and is a most beautiful ornament to parks and woods. 
Partially pied varieties sometimes occur, and one called “silver 
pheasant” by most people. 

Black Grouse (Telrao telriz). Sparingly. Chiefly in the higher 
districts. 

Red Grouse (7. exoticus). On all our moors and hills, but not in 
great numbers. 

Ptarmigan (7. lagopus). Less frequent than either of the two last. 
Inhabiting only the summits of our highest mountains, they are more 
seldom seen than those which frequent the lower ground. Like all 
others of the grouse tribe, they are yearly decreasing in number. 

Partridge (Perdix cinerea). Pretty common. A very cunning and 
faithful mother is the female ; for when she has eggs she never goes 
out, if time permits, without hiding them so carefully that it is almost 
impossible to detect their whereabouts; and if you take her by sur- 
prise, away she hobbles on one leg and a wing, trailing on the 
ground as if wounded. Poor creature! You pity her, she is so 
maimed, and follow to pick her up. Away she crawls. You near 
her, and, feeling sure of having her, pounce down. Ha! Ha! What 
a comical figure you cut! Where is the half-dead, severely-maimed 
bird gone? Why, flown to be sure, and left you sprawling on the 
ground, like a flounder just cast ashore. You rise satisfied that you 
have been fairly duped. It now occurs to you that you frightened 
the bird from her nest, and in revenge you resolve to rob her of her 
eggs. But what makes you look so bewildered, turning round to all 
the points of the compass? ‘ Why, I don’t know which way to turn 
to seek the nest,” you exclaim. I believe you, and can tell you from 
experience that you have been led, by a very long, circuitous route, 
far away from it. Wonderful instinct, this! If it is a dog it is all 
the same: they will allure him just as they will you, from young as 
well as from eggs. But 1 have neglected to mention a fact, in con- 
nexion with the red grouse, which shows in a very remarkable manner - 
how close the female will at times sit rather than expose her eggs. 
Wandering about the Waggle Hill one day, with my friend the late 
Rev. Mr. Smith, I chanced to observe a moor-fowl squatted on the 
ground, amongst the heather close to my feet; in fact, I stood above 
her before I noticed her. Being summer time I at once guessed the 
nature of the case. On my friend coming up I drew his attention to 
the bird over which I stood. ‘ Oh,” said he, “ she’s surely dead, Mr. 
Edward.” “Oh, no,” I said, “there are either eggs or young.” 


Birds. 6845 


“Well,” he added, “if so, it is certainly a very wonderful circum- 
stance ; but,” he continued, “ we shall see ;” and with that he parted 
the heather and laid his hand on the bird. ‘“ Well,” he added, ‘‘ she 
is alive, for she is warm; but she must be wounded, and not able to 
rise or fly.” “Oh, no,” I once more said, “she has something beneath 
her which she is unwilling to leave;” and she allowed him to 
stroke her without moving, except turning her head to look at us. 
On my friend’s dog ‘ Sancho’ coming up and putting his nose close to 
her she creeped away through the bushes for some distance, and then 
took to flight, leaving a nest and fifteen eggs exposed to our gaze. 
Before leaving we carefully closed up the heather again, so as to con- 
ceal as much as possible the nest and its beauteous treasure; and I 
need not say that we were both delighted with what we had seen. 
Mr. Smith was particularly struck with the incident, as he had never 
seen anything of the kind before; and he often remarked, “I verily 
believe that 1 could not have credited the fact if I had not seen it 
myself,” and always spoke of it with the greatest admiration. 

Quail (P. coturnix). That this species is_a regular visitor, I am 
not prepared to say; but that it is an occasional visitor and breeds 
here, is beyond ail doubt. Nests.and eggs of this species are some- 
times met with in cutting grass, and are generally passed over as 
those of the landrail. 

Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis). Where moor-fowl occur 
the golden plover is generally to be met with. When the hills, 
heaths and fields are covered with snow, the plover comes down from 
his alpine abode, and stays at the sea-side, where great numbers fall 
an easy prey to the gun of the sea-side fowler. 

Dotterel (C. morinellus). Occasionally;met with. On once asking 
an old keeper from the higher grounds as to where this species 
breeds, he replied, “ On the gray slopes of the highest mountains, far 
above all the other birds, except the ptarmigan.” I am doubtful 
whether it breeds with us at all. 

Ringed Plover (C. hialicula). These breed with us, and remain 
all the year round. I have found their eggs on the sand by the 
beach, and forty miles inland. ‘They likewise nestle on the shingly 
banks and islands along our river-courses. They are known here by 
the names of “sea lark” and “ sunny liverick.” 

Gray Plover (Vanellus melanogaster). Rather rare, and I believe 
only a winter visitor. 

Lapwing (V. cristatus). On heaths and moors, and in fields, where 
they breed. Many of them leave us towards winter. This is another 


6846 Birds. 


species which will try to mislead you when searching for the eggs. 
Unless you are really in want of them, I would recommend you to 
leave them; for of all our field and heath birds the lapwing is 
one of the most useful in destroying destructive insects, such as 
Zabrus gibbus, &c. 

Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres). An occasional visitor, generally 
in winter. For a curious anecdote of this species see the ‘ Zoologist’ 
for 1851, p. 3077. 

Sanderling (Calidris arenaria). A regular visitor, generally arriving 
in August, a few of them remaining through the winter. I have met 
with them, too, in summer, when their predominant colour, instead of 
being whitish, was a most beautiful reddish fawn. On their first 
arrival here they are very tame, allowing you to approach within 
a yard or so. 

Oystercatcher (Hematopus ostralegus). Why this bird is called 
oystercatcher I cannot understand. Had it been named “limpet- 
catcher” I could have understood it. I have crawled amongst the 
rocks in order to see them feed, and have seen the limpet driven 
from its hold, and scooped out of its shell with as much apparent 
ease as I would have picked up a Gammaris locusta; but I have 
never seen it attempt to catch an oyster. On this part of the coast 
its food generally consists of the limpet, and very rarely of Acmza 
testitudinalis. I have counted as many as forty-one of the former in 
the stomach of a single bird, whilst of the latter I have not met with 
more than three or four examples. The oystercatcher is a summer 
visitor with us, arriving here to breed. Now and then it may be 
seen during winter. Large flocks visit us some seasons, generally in 
September, and after remaining for a day proceed further South. 
‘Sea pict” is the name the bird is known by here. 

Heron (Ardea cinerea). We have some small spots where these 
birds breed, but which hardly deserve the name of heronries; at one 
time, however, they were in greater numbers. “ Longlegged sandy” 
and “craigie” are names given to them here. I remember taking 
from the stomach of one a large water-rat, three middle-sized 
trout, and fifteen minnows. Some time ago a person belonging 
to this town, whilst passing through one of the streets, was 
startled at being hit on the head by something which had fallen 
from above, and which proved to be a small fish, the five-bearded 
rockling Matella quinquecirrata), apparently quite fresh. On 
looking up he saw nothing but a “‘craigie” passing over the 
houses, pursued by a number of crows. Of course the fish had 


Birds. 6847 


dropped from the heron, but he could not be ee that it had 
not dropped from the clouds. 

Purple Heron (A. purpurea). One of these birds is said to 
have been shot about thirteen miles from hence. My late friend, the 
Rev. Mr. Smith, saw fragments of the bird some time afterwards, and 
believed it to be of this species. 

Great White Heron (A. egretta). Two of these birds were ob- 
served to frequent various parts of our coast about twenty-six years 
ago. Iam not aware of a specimen having been procured. 

Bittern (4. stellaris). Three or four of these birds are known 
to have paid us a visit. One in the Banff Museum, a very pretty one, 
was killed near Banff about twenty-four years since; another in the 
moss at Park Linteen, and one or two at Balveny, twelve years ago. 

Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia). One of these rarities in this 
part of the world was raised from a ditch in a wood near here, in 
April, 1848, by a young naturalist of this town: he says it could 
easily have been shot, for he approached quite close to it, and it did 
not appear at all shy. 

Glossy Ibis (Lbis falcinellus). On one occasion I perceived 
three of these birds about the coast here for a whole day, but could 
not get a shot at them; it was in the winter and during a very severe 
storm. I never saw any before nor since. 

Curlew (Numenius arquata). Plentiful in certain localities 
along the shore in winter, retiring in spring to the alpine and sub- 
alpine districts beyond. Their note in winter is simply “ Whaup,” with 
sometimes a loud scream when suddenly come upon. In summer, 
however, and whilst among the moors and hills, it is more varied, 
being then “ Poo-]-ie, poo-l-ie,” then “ Coor-lie, coor-lie,” with a long 
“Wha-a-up” at the end. Though ever watchful and always on the 
alert for intruders, they are then not so shy as when by the sea- 
shore. 

Whimbrel (N. pheopus). Seldom a summer passes but a whim- 
brel or two may be met with along the shore, and sometimes in 
some of our mosses. [I think they breed with us. The people here 
consider them young curlews. They are generally very shy when 
here, and not easily approached. I have seen them in winter, but not 
often. Their call-note at once distinguishes them from the curlew, 
even when not seen. 

Redshank (Totanus calidris). We have this red and long-legged 
gentleman rather sparingly with us, but we have him all the year. 
There are certain spots coastwise not much frequented, where, for 


6848 Birds. 


seven or eight months of the year, you will seldom if ever fail to meet 
a few, and when thus disturbed their wild scream sounds beautifully, 
and accords well with these solitary places, especially where there is 
a low, hollow murmuring from the ocean. This is another species, 
which, lapwing-like, will flap about you when in the way of their nest, 
and for noise they exceed them completely. They generally breed in 
marshy and boggy places and about the grassy margins of lochs, &c., 
but I have also found them amongst bents and dry sandy places by 
the sea-shore. 

Common Sandpiper (7. hypoleucos). The common sandpiper (or 
as we have it, “ Kittie-wedie,” from its cry) is one of our summer 
birds; there is scarcely one of our streams but has its “kittie-wedies” 
in the season, and on the banks of which they breed. Single indi- 
viduals may occasionally be met with along the shore. 

Greenshank (7. glottis). This is a rarity with us. IT have one in 
my possesion, out of two which were shot in the moss of Banff in 
1849. : 

Avocet (Recurvirosira avocetta). More rare than the preceding ; 
at least I know of only one having been seen near here, and it occurred 
in March, 1847. 

Blacktailed Godwit (Zimosa melanura). Two specimens have been 
taken here; one in August, 1839, and the other in December, 1840. 

Bartailed Godwit (Z. rufa). A few of these may generally be ob- 
served every autumn, either by the sea-side or in our mosses. They 
do not stop long with us, however, a few days at most sufficing; I 
suppose we have not suitable localities for them. 

Ruff (Machetes pugnaz). Rare. Three, I think, have been ob- 
tained, all birds of the year, and all in autumn. 

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola). Though a pair or two have been 
known to breed, the woodcock can hardly rank with us but as a winter 
visitor. In some seasons they are more numerous than in others. 
Does the snow effect the colouring of this species? My reason for 
asking this question is because, in very severe and snowy weather, I 
have seen many of them of a remarkably light colour; but in easy 
seasons, and when there were little or no storms or frost, I have never 
seen any of them in the same gray-like coating. 

Common Snipe (8. gallinago). ‘Though many of these breed and 
remain with us all the year, still we receive great additions annually 
from elsewhere, and generally towards the end of autumn; but neither 
during summer nor winter are they so plentiful as they were: drainage 
is said to be the cause. 


Birds. 6849 


Jack Snipe (S.gallinula). A winter visitor only, so far as I am aware, 
and by no means so numerous as the preceding. The jack snipe would 
appear to be a sort of solitary animal; at least I have never seen more 
than two of them together (of course in winter), but more commonly 
only one; in fact, they are nearly always singly. Unlike the others, 
however, I have seen them return to the same spot three times after 
being as often fired at. 

Tuomas EpwARD. 


Rare Birds recently observed in the Isle of Wight. 
By A. G. Morz, Esq., F.L.S. 


Durine the fourteen years which have elapsed since the Rev. C. A. 
Bury published in the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1844 and 1845, his interesting 
notes upon Isle of Wight Ornithology, several birds of great rarity 
have at different times been noticed, and particulars have been ob- 
tained which have rendered more complete the history of other species 
previously known. It was at the suggestion of my friend Mr. Bury, 
and with the view of collecting under one head the more important of 
these observations, that the following remarks have been thrown 
together in the form of a supplemental contribution to our local 
Fauna. The three or four years last past have proved unusually pro- 
ductive of rare birds. For the knowledge of many of these I am 
indebted to the accurate observation of my friend Mr. F. Bond, to 
whom, as well as to Mr. Bury, my best acknowledgments are due, and 
from Mr. H. Rogers, the intelligent naturalist, of Freshwater, I have 
also received much valuable information. 


Eagle. In a ‘History of the Isle of Wight, by the Rev. Richard 
Warner (1795), it is stated that “ the eagle has been known to incubate 
among the crags of the Culver Cliff; the last known to build came 
there in 1780, and a countryman who descended to the nest found it 
to contain one solitary young bird.” Warner suggests that “ this 
eagle must have come from North Wales or from the craggy cliffs of 
the Western Isles, since the offspring appeared (according to the 
information he could obtain) to be of the ring-tail species, a sort very 
common in those places.” There can, however, be little doubt that 
the sea eagle, besides being the more common, was the more likely of 
the two species to select such a locality for its nest. In support of 
this view I see that M‘Gillivray states the nestling sea eagle to have 

XVIII. I 


6850 Birds. 


the tail-coverts white, and Warner had only hearsay evidence to 
depend upon. I am not aware that either kind of eagle has visited 
the island since the instances mentioned by Mr. Bury (Zool. 516). 

Osprey. In the course of many years’ residence at Bembridge 
T have only twice met with this noble bird; its visits to any part of 
the Isle of Wight are indeed few and far between. On the 10th of 
September, 1856, I saw an osprey resting upon one of the “booms” 
which mark the entrance to Brading Harbour; when disturbed it rose 
leisurely, and, after-a short flight, struck at a fish in the channel, 
close to the village; being then descried by several gulls it was 
driven by them from its fishing-ground. On the 2nd of May, 1859, 
another osprey visited our harbour, and was observed for some 
time hovering above the shallow water which covers the mud-flats 
at high tide. The wind being rather high, I was enabled to 
approach sufficiently near to see the bird lowering its talons and pre- 
paring to strike each time that it descended towards the water; just 
then some rooks that were passing mobbed the osprey, and it flew 
straight away, surrounded by a cloud of its clamorous persecutors. 
In neither instance was the bird seen to return, though anxiously and 
often looked for. 

Kestrel. In the crop of a young male bird, shot in May, 1859, 
were found several spotted newts (Lissotriton punctatus). ‘Though it 
is well known that different kinds of reptiles are eaten by the kestrel, 
I do not think any writer has mentioned its preying upon the newt ; 
and as in spring the newts do not frequent the land, it would seem 
that the hawk, in this instance, must have captured its prey while 
swimming near the surface of the water. 

Buzzards. All three British species are very rare. The common 
buzzard can no longer be reckoned indigenous, if indeed it be not the 
rarest of the three. The roughlegged and honey buzzards have been 
lately killed at least once, and in spring and autumn buzzards of some 
kind are occasionally seen passing over the island at a considerable 
elevation. In one instance, a buzzard thus observed at Bembridge 
was followed and buffeted by two smaller birds resembling sparrow- 
hawks. ‘ 

Harriers are very rarely met with, and it is believed that the hen 
harrier no longer breeds in the island. A single example of the marsh 
harrier, obtained at Freshwater in May or June, 1855, came under the 
notice of Mr. F. Bond. Of Montagu’s harrier I have lately examined 
an adult male specimen, belonging to Mr. Wavell, of Newport. 
Another was shot near Freshwater, in August, 1858, as [ am informed 
by Mr. Rogers. 


Birds. 6851 


Longeared Owl. Is very scarce and local as a native bird. A few 
Seem to arrive in winter, one having been obtained at that season near 
Bembridge, in 1858. During many years’ observation Mr. Rogers has 
only once met with the longeared owl at Freshwater, where he ob- 
tained a pair, male and female, on the 14th of November, 1859. 

Tawny Owl. Is equally rare. One came under the notice of 
Mr. Rogers at Freshwater in September, 1856. 

Woodchat. Was within the last few years twice bred at Freshwater. 
As one of the young birds was shot by Mr. Rogers in September, 1856, 
there can be no doubt as to the identification of the species, although 
the parents were carefully respected. One, if not both nests, with 
the eggs and young birds, are in Mr. Bond’s collection. 

Pied Flycatcher. Was unusually numerous on its spring passage last 
April, and specimens were obtained ai different points in the western 
parts of the island, especially at Freshwater. Though scarcely more 
than an accidental visitor, the pied flycatcher, in a few instances, has 
remained to breed in the Isle of Wight. A nest and three eggs were. 
taken by Mr. Rogers at Freshwater, in May, 1858. 

Ring Ouzel. A pair of these birds has more than once been 
observed during summer, as if nesting. In July, 1857, Mr. Rogers 
shot an adult male, and observed the hen bird in company with it; a 


_ pair had been previously noticed in the summer of 1856. In the 


Undercliff also the ring ouzel has been seen in the breeding-season 
by Mr. H. 8S. Leeson. 

Golden Oriole. A male bird of this conspicuous species made its. 
appearance at Freshwater in May, 1859, when it was observed by 
several persons. 

Black Redstart. Though appearing in very limited numbers may 
fairly be reckoned a winter visitor.. It seems to prefer the southern 
and more rocky shores of the isle: and scarcely a season passes 
without several of these “winter redstarts” being seen, and many 
more must no doubt escape observation. 

Grasshopper Warbler. Has one or two favourite breeding haunts 
in the vicinity of Bembridge, where it may often be heard at dusk 
utteriug its curious spinning note, to my ear more like that of the 
nightjar than of any other bird. At Bembridge the grasshopper 
warbler frequents thick bushy underwood rather than marshy localities ; 
when out at night in search of insects we once traced it to its retreat, 
where we discovered our little friend snugly posted in the very centre 
of a bush, and were surprised to find him continue his song, utterly 
regardless of the lantern by whose light we were observing him within 


6852 Birds. 


a few feet. Mr. Rogers reports the grasshopper warbler a regular 
summer visitor to Freshwater ; but the nest taken on the slopes of the 
Whitecliff, and formerly referred to this species, is now believed by 
Mr, Bury to have belonged to the rock pipit. 

Reed Wren. Was been observed at Freshwater by Mr. Rogers; in 
Sandown Marshes it is far less numerous than the sedge warbler. 

Garden Warbler. I shot a single specimen in a garden at Bem- 
bridge in August, 1848, its song at this late season having attracted 
notice ; the bird has also been obtained about Newchurch and at 
Freshwater, but it is one of the most uncommon of our summer 
visitors. 

Lesser Whitethroat. Has been found by Mr. Rogers at Fresh- 
water, but is rare in that locality. 

Wood Wren. Has been observed a few times in the more wooded 
parts, having been heard by Mr. Bury in Youngwood Copse, and once 
near Ryde by myself; but at Freshwater Mr. Rogers speaks of it as 
being a regular summer visitor, partial to fir plantations. 

Dartford Warbler. Besides the localities already given in the 
‘Zoologist, this bird is found in the boggy ground near Godshill, 
known as “the Wilderness,” also at Freshwater, &c. Mr. Bury has 
recently noticed that during winter the Dartford warbler is constantly 
driven up before his dogs when beating a field of turnips: it is almost 
needless to remark how well this agrees with what is said of its 
resorting to the cabbage gardens in Provence. 

Firecrested Regulus. May now fairly be reckoned a rare winter 
visitant to the Isle of Wight, one specimen at least having been ob- 
tained in December, 1857, among a number of Reguli that were 
knocked down with sticks and stones near Alum Bay: out of those 
brought to him Mr. Beazley, the bird-stuffer, at Ryde, selected the 
brightest for preservation, and this proves to be a well-marked male 
of the firecrest. What proportion may have belonged to the rarer 
kind cannot now be conjectured, but the tameness of the flock 
sufficiently indicated a recent arrival. 

White Wagtail. Was observed near Freshwater by Mr. Bond, 
in May, 1859, and, during the same month, near Sandown by 
Mr. Rogers. 

Tree Pipit. Is not considered rare at Freshwater, and has been 
ascertained to occur in one or two other localities, mostly to the north 
of the chalk downs; but it is decidedly local. On its autumnal 
migration the bird has been noticed in the Undercliff by Mr. H.S. 
Leeson. 


Birds. 6853 


Rock Pipit. Frequents the muddy estuaries of the north side of 
the island, as well as the rocky southern shores. Observation.—It 
may well be expected that the scarce Richard’s pipit will ere long be 
added to our Fauna, likely as it is to be found during the winter 
months upon low-lying meadows and pastures bordering on the 
sea. 

Snow Bunting. Was obtained by Mr. Rogers at Freshwater, 
during the severe frost of February, 1855, and again at the early date 
of October 28th, 1859 (Zool. 6780). 

Brambling. Was common at the same date as the preceding: a 
small flock was observed at Bembridge, associated, as usual, with 
chaffinches, in December, 1848. 

Tree Sparrow. Usually seen in severe weather only, and at long 
intervals; one, however, was killed at Freshwater so late as May, in 
1858. 

Hawfinch. Three shot near Brading at the end of November, 1859, 
were observed to feed upon the seeds of ash and maple (Acer cam- 
pestris). 

Redpole. Mr. Rogers shot two at Freshwater, in June, 1855, which 
is in favour of the bird occasionally nesting in the island. 

Crossbill. A few were observed at Bembridge early in June, 1856 ; 
a small flock remained throughout July, 1859, in the neighbourhood 
of Sea View, where fir trees abound, and these birds would sometimes 
make short excursions to Bembridge. 

Rosecoloured Pastor. A specimen shot near Sea View, in May, 
1854 or 1855, is in the Museum of the Ryde Philosophical Society. 
A second shot on Headon Hill two years ago was preserved by Mr. 
Rogers. 

Chough. Is believed to have become extinct at the Needles, but a 
pair builds regularly in the cliffs between Niton and Blackgang 
Chine. 

Hooded Crow. Is certainly very scarce, and I have seen it only 
two or three times about Brading Harbour. Those who have studied 
Mr. Knox’s remarks in the ‘ Ornithological Rambles’ will not fail to 
observe how completely the rarity of the hooded crow in the Isle of 
Wight agrees with what has been ascertained of its distribution in 
Sussex. 

_ Green Woodpecker. One was killed near St. Helen’s in May, 1855. 

Another was repeatedly heard in Youngwood Copse by Mr. Bury, in 
the autumn of 1857. 

Greater Spotted or Pied Woodpecker. 'Two were observed to 


6854 Birds. 


haunt the trees along the shore at Bembridge early in October, 1857. 
Mr. Rogers has also obtained the bird once at Freshwater, but both 
kinds of woodpecker are only known in the Isle of Wight as occasional 
stragelers from the mainland. It is somewhat remarkable that the 
nuthatch has not yet been observed, since it is said to be common in 
some parts of the opposite coast, and is stated to be migratory in 
Sussex. 

Bee-eater. Once shot near Freshwater, in June, 1855 (see Zool. 
4870). 

Kingfisher. Few of the kingfishers, which in autumn frequent our 
creeks and shores, are reared in the Island. The nest has been occa- 
sionally found in Sandown Level; and Mr. Rogers has discovered a 
most unusual breeding haunt near Freshwater, where, it appears, the 
kingfishers lay their eggs in the crevices of some caves opening to the 
sea. No English writer that I am aware of mentions this kind of situ- 
ation being chosen for the nest, though it would appear that upon the 
Continent, not fissures of caves only, but also hollow trees are occasion- 
ally tenanted by the kingfisher. 

Rock Dove. Two were obtained at Freshwater in November, 1857. 
“ Large flocks occasionally appear in Sandown Level.”—Mr. Bury. 

Turtle Dove. Was accidentally omitted from Mr. Bury’s List; as 
might be expected, the bird is sufficiently common during the summer 
months. . 

Redlegged Partridge. Was been twice shot to my knowledge ; one 


at Grove and another at Freshwater; both single birds, and probably 


stragglers from the mainland. 

Quail. Was shot in Whitefield Wood, January, 1859, and at Fresh- 
water, in March of the same year. ‘A single bird frequented a turnip 
field, near Sandown, in December, 1857, and January, 1858.”—Mr. 
Bury. 

Stone Curlew. Occurred at Freshwater in the winter of 1854—5, 
and at Bembridge, late in the autumn of 1857. ‘Two were flushed by 
Mr. Bury, on the 16th of November, 1858, in a turnip field, near 
Sandown. 

Dotterell. Mr. Rogers has once or twice noticed it to visit Fresh- 
water, on its spring passage at the end of April. He has seen it 
several times in September also. 

Gray Plover. May be considered, like most of the large sandpipers, * 
a bird of double passage. Itis occasionally seen in Brading Harbour 
and along the shore at Bembridge in September; and was observed 
on the 8th of May, 1857, on the 30th of May 1858, and again on the 


Birds. 6855 


19th of May, 1859, being then in the full breeding plumage: a most 
remarkable and beautiful bird. 

Turnstone. Occurred at Bembridge in September, 1857, and again 
on the 31st of March, 1858. 

Sanderling. Has been several times obtained at Bembridge about 
mid-winter. It usually keeps apart in small parties of five or six, but 
is also occasionally associated with the large flocks of dunlins and ring 
dotterells (here called “ox birds”). Mr. Rogers considered the san- 
derling rare at Freshwater; he obtained a specimen on the 20th of 
December, 1859. 

Squacco Heron. A single bird of this scarce species was shot at 
St. Helen’s, on the 19th of May, 1858; and was taken, still alive, to 
to Mr. Beazley, of Ryde. When first seen it was described as pecking 
about on the sea beach, near the Old Church sea mark; and when 
disturbed it did not fly far, but alighted near some tame ducks upon 
the village green, where a shot was obtained without much difficulty. 
The bird has now passed into the collection of Mr. W. Borrer, of 
Cowfold. 

Spoonbill. Was shot at Newtown, November, 1845. Another was 
seen during a flood in Sandown Marshes, January, 1849. 

Whimbrel. Appears regularly in May, when it associates with the 
bartailed godwits, it is again seen towards the middle of August and 
in September; but I cannot remember to have met with it in mid- 
winter. 

Redshank. Is, with the oystercatcher, a bird of double passage, 
and but rarely seen in Brading Harbour. 

Green Sandpiper. Mr. Rogers assures me that the green sand- 
piper does not breed at Yarmouth, and those seen in the early autumn 
are probably migrants that have just led their young brood across 
from the mainland; but more commonly the bird is a late autumn 
visitor. One was shot early in December, 1859. 

Common Sandpiper. Is known to frequent during summer the 
shingly beach at the foot of the Freshwater Cliffs and in Tollands Bay ; 
though its nest has not yet been found, Mr. Rogers is confident that 
it breeds in these localities, different though they be from its usual 
haunts at the season. A few stray birds may occasionally be met with 
till quite the end of September, and I have shot the common sandpiper 
so late as the 27th of October, but they mostly leave us long before 


the latter date. 


Greenshank. Has occurred several times in Brading Harbour, at 


6856 Birds. 


the end of August and beginning of September ; less frequently in 
spring. 

Blackwinged Stilt. Has been ascertained by Mr. Bury to have 
been once killed at the western end of the Island; date not known. 

Bartailed Godwit. Unlike others of its tribe, is more often seen 
at the period of the spring movement. In May, 1858 and 1859, a 
flock numbering some thirty of these birds remained for about a fort- 
night in Brading Harbour, and some of those then shot were in the 
perfection of summer plumage. At this time the difference between 
‘the sexes was very strongly marked, and they could be easily distin- 
guished a good way off as the red and the white birds. In no females 
that I have seen does the bay colour extend over the whole under 
parts, and if the red plumage is ever completely assumed by them (as 
seems likely from a remark in Montagu’s ‘ Ornithological Dictionary’*), 
it is probably only in the case of very old females ; those I have exam- 
ined were but slightly tinged beneath with pale rust-colour, their neck 
thickly set with narrow dark streaks, and the breast covered with spots 
and bars of different shades of brown, the upper parts duller than in 
the male. Evidently the sexes of the bartailed godwits are much more 
different from each other in spring than those of the blacktailed 
godwit. 

Curlew Sandpiper. TY have twice shot at Bembridge, in September, 
1848, and on the 25th of August, 1858. 

Knot. Is rather scarce in Brading Harbour, where it usually occurs 
in September. I have only once met with the adult bird, and that was 
in August, 1852. 

Water Rail. Was been ascertained by Mr. Rogers to breed in two 
or three marshy localities near Yarmouth. 

Gray Phalarope. Ove was caught by the hand at Bembridge, 
after a gale,in October, 1857. Another was shot off Sea View, in 
November, 1858. Mr. Bury shot one in a ditch, near Pan Common, 
quite early in September, 1857. Mr. Rogers obtained a gray phala- 
rope on the lst of November, 1859. 

Bernicle. Is very rare. Besides the specimen mentioned by 


* Under the head of Snipe, Redbreasted, it is stated, in the ‘ Supplement to the 
Ornithological Dictionary, that a bird (shot May 21) with its throat, fore-neck, breast, 
belly and sides bright bay, proved to be a female. Other writers (as Temminck, in his 
‘Supplement ’) speak of the females being a little less bright than the males ; but the 
difference amounts to far more than this, and is well expressed in Mr. Jenyn’s ‘ Manual,’ 
p. 202. 


Birds. 6857 


Mr. Bury, two were killed at Freshwater, during a severe frost, in 
March, 1858 (see Zool. 6097). 

Canada Goose. Four were shot at the same time with the bernicles ; 
but their remarkable tameness seems to favour the idea that they were 
escaped rather than truly wild birds. 

Gadwall, “Has been obtained at Yarmouth.”-— Mr. Bury. 

Eider Duck. The eider was among the numerous ducks that 
visited Freshwater in the severe weather of February, 1855. A female 
was obtained by Mr. Rogers on the 19th of December, 1859. 

Tufted Duck.. One was seen in Brading Marshes so late as the 
26th of April, 1858. 

Smew. <A young male bird was shot near, Freshwater on the 18th 
of December, 1859 (Hl. Rogers). 

Redbreasted Merganser. Is a regular winter visitor. Being a shy 
bird and clever diver it is seldom shot except when it enters the 
_ creeks in hard weather, and those which are thus obtained in Brading 
_ Harbour are mostly young birds. Mr. Rogers tells me that at Fresh- 
_ water the merganser occurs.every winter. It is known to the fishermen 

by the name of “ spear duck” or “ spear wigeon.” 

Rednecked Grebe. Has. within the last few years been twice 
obtained near Freshwater by Mr. Rogers. 

Great Crested Grebe. Ihave only once met with it at Bembridge. . 

Eared Grebe. Was killed off Sea View in December, 1858, in com- 
pany with another “dusky grebe” of the horned species. Besides 
the slightly upturned beak, other marks of distinction between the two 
birds, when in winter plumage, will be found in the eared grebe having 
the head less tufted, the whole plumage of a darker hue, the fore-neck 
blacker, and only the first six quills black—the white occupying nearly 
all the inner web of the seventh,—while in the horned grebe the white 
does not commence until the twelfth quill. Though sought for many 
years past, this is the first instance in which I have fallen in with an 
eared grebe, all the other “dusky ” grebes I have examined having 
proved to belong to the horned species. 

Blackthroated Diver. Hardly more than an occasional visitor (see 
Zool. 4629); but all kinds of “loons”? have been scarcer and more 
difficult to obtain during the last three or four winters. 

Ringed Guillemot. Mr. Bond has seen two specimens that were 
killed near Freshwater in 1856 and 1857. A third was obtained off 
_Niton in June, 1854, as I am informed by Mr. H. S. Leeson. 

Black Guillemot. One obtained. near Yarmouth in 1853 or 1854 
XVIII. K 


6858 Birds. 


has been seen by Mr. Bond. Yarrell mentions its occurrence in 
Christchurch Bay. 

Little Auk. Occurred off Sea View in November, 1858, and at 
Freshwater on the 24th of December, 1859.—H. Rogers. 

Northern Puffin. Mr. Bond obtained at Freshwater, in 1856, a 
puffin, which he recognised as distinct from the common species. 
There is still some uncertainty whether the bird be certainly identified 
with the Normon glacialis of Temminck, of which little more is known 
than the bare description. I am much indebted to my friend Mr. Bond 
for permitting me to anticipate his announcement of his discovery of 
this bird, which is I believe new to the British list. 

Shag. One or two pairs are all that are now known to frequent the 
Freshwater Cliffs in summer. 

Sandwich Tern. I first obtained close to the “ Noman” Buoy on 
the 13th of April, 1858, rather an early date, I believe, for the bird’s 
arrival ; and again on the 19th of September last we met with two off 
the entrance to Brading Harbour, an old bird that had nearly assumed 
the winter plumage, and a bird of the year. 

Common Tern. Was numerous in September and October, 1858. 
At that date no arctic terns were noticed. 

Arctic Tern. The only example I have seen was one picked up 
dead at Bembridge in October, 1857. 

Lesser Tern. A small flock of these fairy little creatures was observed 
flitting about the shingle point at Bembridge early in May, 1850. A 
little tern was also obtained by Mr. Rogers at Freshwater in the spring 
of 1855. 

Black Tern. ‘Two young and an adult bird visited Brading 
Harbour in September, 1858, and shortly afterwards I shot a black 
tern at Spithead as it was sitting on the water with several common 
terns. About the same date many other specimens were obtained in 
different parts of the island. 

Little Gull. A young bird shot by Mr. Murrough, of the Royal 
Hotel, in Freshwater Bay, has been seen by Mr. Bond. 

Kittiwake. Certainly does not breed at the Needles. The herring 
gull is the only one of its family that nests every year in the Isle of 
Wight. 

Lesser Blackbacked Gull. Cannot be said to breed regularly on 
the cliffs. One or two pairs have been known to nest at Freshwater, 
in 1857 and 1858, but this is said to be a very unusual occurrence. 

Common or Great Skua. Mr. Bond has once seen this bird in the 
hands of Mr. Rogers at Freshwater. 


Birds. 6859 


Richardson's Skua. 1s far from common, and, during many years’ 
observation, I have only once met with a skua on the waters between 
Bembridge and Portsmouth. Early in September, 1856, I saw a small 
dark skua in pursuit of some blackheaded gulls at the entrance to 
Brading Harbour, and the bird was noticed at the same time by 
several other persons, by whom a black gull was evidently considered 
a most extraordinary sight. 

Forktailed Petrel. A specimen was brought to Mr. Rogers in 
1857; another on the 4th of November, 1859. 


It may not be out of place to enumerate here the species which 
have been ascertained to occur in the Isle of Wight since Mr. Bury 
first drew up his list in 1844-5, when the number amounted to 193. 
This has now been raised to 219 by the addition of the following 
birds :— 


Marsh Harrier Blackwinged Stilt 
Woodchat Canada Goose 
Golden Oriole Gadwall 

Garden Warbler Redbreasted Merganser 
Wood Wren Eared Grebe 
Firecrested Regulus Ringed Guillemot 
White Wagtail © Black Guillemot 
Tree Pipit Northern Puffin 
Bee-eater Sandwich Tern 
[Turtle Dove] Common Tern 
Redlegged Partridge Lesser Tern 
Sanderling Little Gull 
Squacco Heron Great Skua 
Spoonbill 


Several of these have already been mentioned in a revised account, 
written by Mr. Bury for a new guide-book, ‘The Garden Isle.’ It is 
singular that neither Temminck’s nor the little stint has yet been 
observed. 

A comparison of the Isle of Wight catalogue with that of Sussex, 
as "given in the third edition of Mr. Knox’s ‘ Rambles,’ * shows the 
following results :— 


Raptores. Insessores. Scansores. Gralle. Natatores. 


Isle of Wight - 18 94 8 37 62 = 219 
Sussex - - - 22 100 9 52 66 = 249 
Great Britain - 34 126 18 vA) 106 = 354 


* Two or three species have been added to the Sussex list from Yarrell (third 
edition) and the ‘ Zoologist.’ 


6860 Birds. 


The Isle of Wight claims nine birds not yet found in Sussex, 
Vz. 


Woodchat Canada Goose 
Crested Titmouse Black Guillemot 
Whitewinged Crossbill Northern Puffin 
Black Woodpecker Masked Gull 


Squacco Heron 


A. G. MorE. 
Bembridge, December, 1859. 


Occurrence of the Great Gray Shrike (Lanius excubitor) at Forres, N.B.—An 
esteemed friend and excellent naturalist, at Forres, sent me, the other day, a fine spe- 
cimen of the above bird, which I have put into the hands of a birdstuffer. My friend 
writes me that “it was shot by Mr. Mackintosh, shoemaker, in a garden on the south 
side of the town (Forres), between the Free Churcb and the Mills, having been 
started from a hawthorn hedge. On the hedge, and at the spot from which the bird 
rose, the headless body of a robin was found partially devoured. Another individual 
of the same species (shrike) was seen at the same time; and on a subsequent day one, 
probably the same, was observed at the same place.” The recent appearance of this 
bird is recorded for several localities (Zool. 6808). The one I now give is the most 
northerly where the observation has been made and published, and is the third 
time I have known this bird to have been met with within the province of Moray. 
—George Gordon ; Birnie by Elgin, January, 1860. 

Occurrence of Larus icthyaétus, a new British Gull, in Devonshire. — Among 
the many objects of Natural History discovered during the past months may be 
noticed the following remarkable bird. This bird, to which may be applied the 
term of the giant of the blackheaded gulls, was shot by a boatman, Mr. William 
Pine, while employed by William Taylor, Esq., of Bridgewater, who was engaged 
in fishing for bass in the river off Exmouth, about the end of May or the 
beginning of June last; it was in company with a flock of ordinary gulls. Its 
temarkable size and appearance attracted the attention of the boatman, who, having 
his gun with him, singled it out, and fortunately obtained the bird, which has since 
been kindly presented, by the above-mentioned gentleman, to the writer. The usual 
locality of this bird is the shores of the Caspian Sea, but it is also recorded as having 
been found on the shores of the Red Sea, the Ganges and the Ionian Islands, as well 
as accidentally on the margins of the Danube, in Hungary. ue is led to suppose 
that it is by no means a common bird, as examples are rarely seen in collections. It 
is the Larus ichthyaeétus, Pall. Itin. ii., Ap. n. 27; Id. Zoogr. ii. p. 322, 1. 77; Rupp. 
Atlas, t.17: the great gull, Lath. Gen. Syn. iii. pt. I]. p. 370: Xema ichthyaétus, 
G. R. Gray, List of Gall. &ce. B. M., p.171. Head entirely, and part of neck pure 
black; the rest of neck, beneath the body, upper tail-coverts, tail, ends of scapulars 
and secondaries pure white ; the rest of upper surface of a pale plumbeous-gray; quills 
pure white, with the ends black and the tips white, which latter colour is more promi- 
nent on the first quill, while the second has the black also divided irregularly with — 
white near the end; asmall white mark above and beneath the eyes. Bill at its base — 
livid-yellow, with a crimson ring-like spot near the tip, which is fuscous-yellow ; and 


Fishes—Mollusks. 6861 


the feet fuscous-red. When first obtained the circles round the eyes were red. Length 
25 inches; wings 18 inches 6 lines; tarsi 3 inches ; bare part of thigh 1 inch 9 lines; 
bill from gape 33 inches, from forehead 2 inches 6 lines. Pallas informs us that this 
bird, when flying, emits a hoarse, raven-like cry of “ kou, kou.” He further says that 
it lays its eggs on the bare sand, without the least preparation of a nest: they are in 
shape an oblong-oval, marked with frequent brown spots, with some paler ones inter- 
mixed. It is known on the borders of the Caspian Sea by the name of “ Rybak” or 
“ Gluchar,” and by the Tartars as “ Charahalta."-—F. W. L. Ross ; Topsham, Novem- 
ber 24, 1859.—[Obligingly communicated by G. R. Gray, Esq.] 


Notes of the third Capture of Scymnus borealis (Flem.) off the Scottish Coast.— 
The Scymnus borealis (the Squalus Carcharias of Miiller’s ‘ Prodomus’ and Fabricius’ 
‘ Historia Naturalis Green landiz,’ or, as it is better known to whalers, the “ Greenland 
shark ”) though common in the Arctic regions, is a rare fish in the British seas. Pro- 
fessor Fleming mentions that he was in possession of the jaws of one—prescuted to him 
by the late Mr. Simmonds—which was caught in his presence in the Pentland Firth, 
in 1803; and that Mr. Edmonstone witnessed one 133 feet long, which was found 
dead in Burra Firth, Uist, July, 1824. Mr. Yarrell notices one which was caught off 
the coast of Durham, in April, 1840, and is now in the University Museum of that 
city. The present specimen was caught on the morning of the 2nd of May, 1859, in 
the Firth of Forth, by some of the Newhaven Fishermen, having primarily got entangled 
in their fishing lines. It was about 10 feet long, and was brought up to the University, 
in the Museum of which Institution it will be deposited. On beingjdissected its large 
stomach was found to be very full and distended with the morning meal, though it is 
represented by Scoresby and others to be a mild member of a proverbially voracious 
family. Thus, so far as I am able to learn, this is only the fourth capture on record 
in the British seas, though it may in ail probability have occurred oftener in remote 
situations without meeting the prying eye of the zovlogist ;——the third uff the Scottish 
coast, and the first in the Firth of Forth. It may, therefore, with great justice be 
ranked as one of the rarest of those fishes which, though not inhabitants, except in rare 
occasions, of our seas, have yet been classed amoung its already overburdened Fauna.— 
Robert Brown ; Edinburgh, January 11, 1860. 


Oceurrence of Octopus vulgaris at Babbicombe. —I have just obtained a fine 
specimen of the poulpe (Octopus vulgaris), on Babbicombe beach, where it had 
been left by this morning’s tide. It was dead, but had evidently been alive only a few 
hours before. Its colour was white, marbled on the dorsal surface of sac, head and 
arms with red-brown. Its dimensions were as follows: — Length of one arm from 
mouth, 25 inches ; length of sac, ventral side 5} inches, width 43 inches, total length 
34 inches. I attempted to count the number of suckers on one arm, and made out 
about 108 pairs, but one-third of these could be enumerated only by the aid of a lens, 
and on the terminal portion (about an inch) I could no longer separate them even 
with that aid. Fleming (Brit. Anim. p. 253) says of this species, “ with about two 240 
suckers,” by which odd expression I should have supposed he meant 240 pairs, or else 


6862 Arachnida. 


that it is a typographical error for 240, meaning 240 in all, or 120 pairs, which would 
nearly agree with mine. Cuvier (Régne Anim.) gives 120 pairs. An adult specimen 
of this species is sufficiently scarce to be worthy of record in the ‘ Zovologist.’ — 
P. H. Gosse; Torquay, January 23, 1860. 


Supplement to a Note on the Arachnida of Dorset and Hants. 
(Zool. 6493). By the Rev. O. Pickarp-CamBrinGE, B.A. 


In the communication above referred to, on the Spiders of Dorset, 
&c., I ventured to predict that the British species of this order were 
not nearly all yet discovered. The results subjoined, of the snatches 
of leisure that I have been able to devote to the subject during this 
past season, have fully borne out my prediction. The List annexed 
contains all the species that I have found this season, not contained 
in my last year’s List; and so it is a kind of supplement to that one. 

In the present List there are ten species either new to science, or 
else hitherto unrecorded as British, although known on the Continent. 

In addition also to these, I have seven species belonging to the 
genera Neriene and Linyphia, and several species of other genera, 
found on the sand hills at Southport and at Portland, most of which 
I have reason to believe are undescribed species; but they await 
further examination. 


Order ARANEIDEA.—F amily Lycosip&. 


Lycosa nivalis (Koch). A specimen of this species was found by 
myself on the sand hills, Southport, in June, 1858, but not discovered 
to be L. nivalis until April, 1859, when an extensive series of both 
adult and immature specimens, proved its identity. It had not before 
been recorded as British. It is one of the most numerous as well as 
most active spiders on the sand hills, and, in common with others of 
this genus, disappears as if by magic the moment the sun is obscured. 
Its egg-sac is characteristic, being of a pale flesh-coloured pink. 


Family SALTICIDA. 


Salticus floricola (Koch). An adult male and female of this pretty 
species (hitherto unknown as British) were discovered by myself, on 
the north sand hills, Southport, in June, 1859, at the roots of grass 
and moss. The male is new to Science; the female alone being pre- 
viously known to Arachnologists. 

S. reticulatus. Specimens of this minute Salticus were captured, 


Arachnida. 6863 


when in company with Mr. Meade, in a wood near Bradford, among 
moss and decayed leaves, in May, 1859. 


Family THoMIsIDz. 


Thomisus claveatus (Walck). A specimen of this very peculiar and 
distinctly marked Thomisus was found by myself near Pennsylvania 
Castle, Portland, in September, 1858, but it was unfortunately lost 
before its species was ascertained. This last October (1859), how- 
ever, I have succeeded in capturing, on the same ground under stones 
and pieces of rock, several adult specimens. Walcknier speaks of it 
as a very rare spider on the Pyrenees and in Egypt; its rarity 
he accounts for, from its sparing fertility, its egg-sac only containing 
five or six eggs at atime. It is the most sluggish, inactive species 
that [ have met with, of even this generally very inactive genus. 

T. audax. Three specimens of this species were captured on 
the sand hills, Southport, in May, 1859. 


Family Drassip&. 


Drassus pumilus. Adult males and females of this well-defined 
species were discovered by myself on the north sand hills, Southport, 
during the summer of 1859. They were found both running on the 
bare sand, and also lurking at the roots of moss and grass: it seems, 
however, to be a rare species, and has not hitherto been recorded as 
British. It has a remarkable facility of burying itself in the loose 
sand at the approach of danger; several of those I captured were out 
of sight in a minute. 

D. clavator. An adult male of this species (new to Science) was dis- 
covered by myself on the north sand hills, Southport, in April, 1859, 
by raking with a stick under the rooty ledges of the sand hills. [ 
captured also an immature female under a stone on Kirkby Moss, near 
Liverpool, June 14th, 1859 ; and in October of the same year, I found 
it in abundance, under stones and pieces of rock, close to Pennsyl- 
vania Castle, Portland. It is a fierce, active spider, and, among the 
rocks, very difficult to capture. A description of this species, to 
which I have given the name “ clavator,” from the very large club- 
shaped digital joint of the palpi, will appear shortly in the ‘ Annals 
and Magazine of Natural History.’ 

D. lapidicolens (Clubiona lapidicolens, Walck.). An adult male 
was captured at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, in May, 1859, by 
my friend Frederick Bond, who kindly forwarded it to me, together 


with specimens of the new Ciniflo (C. mordax) discovered there by 


6864 ' Arachnida. 


him last year. This is only the second record of the occurrence of 
‘“¢ D. lapidicolens” since its insertion in the list of British spiders, 
by the late Dr. Leach. 


Family CINIFLONIDZ. 


Ciniflo ferox (Koch). The British species hitherto known as Ciniflo 
ferox turns out, on the capture of the true “ ferox” of Koch, at 
Portland, in September last, to be a distinct species; to which 
Mr. Blackwall has therefore given a fresh name, “ similis.” C. ferox 
(Koch), was captured at Portland by myself in 1857, and since again 
in September, 1859, and has also been taken at Bradford by Mr. 
Meade, but it has not until now been recorded as a native of Britain. 


Family THERIDIIDZ. 


Theridion riparium. An adult male of this distinctly’ marked 
species was captured and sent me, from Bath, in July, 1859, by my 
friend T. W. Huthwaite. 

T. pictum. I found an adult female of this rare and handsome 
spider on a holly-bush at Formby Parsonage, near Liverpool, in June, 
1859; and subsequently I found it tolerably abundant in a green- 
house and on holly-bushes at Birkdale Park, Southport: only one 
previous instance has been recorded of its capture in Britain. 

T. Carolinum. This species, though local, is abundant in many 
places on the sand hills, Southport, at the base of grass-stems and 
other herbage, in May and June: I also beat several off a Scotch 
fir-tree on Simmons-wood Moss, near Liverpool, in June, 1859. It is 
a very pretty, but very variable species. 

T. pallens. On Scotch firs, Simmons-wood Moss, June, 1589, and 
in September of the same year; abundant on laurels in the Rectory 
Gardens, Milton, Northamptonshire; its curiously shaped egg- 
cocoons were fixed to the under sides of the laurel-leaves. 

T. variegatum. Found sparingly, together with its beautiful pear- 
shaped egg-cocoons, among grass and rubbish on the sand hills, 
Southport, during the summer of 1859. 

T. signatum. An immature male of this anomalous-looking The- 
ridion, taken under a piece of rock at Portland, in October, 1859. 


Family LinyPHip. 
Linyphia vivax. Specimens of this species were sent me from 
Bath (together with other rare and local spiders), in October, 1859, 
by T. W. Huthwaite. 


Arachnida. 6865 


Linyphia Fenella. An adult male and female taken among herbage | 
on the sand hills, Southport, in July, 1859. The male new to 
Science. 

L. gracilis. An adult male at the roots of grass at Aketon, in York- 
shire, July, 1859. 

Neriene gracilis. At Scarisbrick, Lancashire, Aketon, Yorkshire, 
and also at Bath and Portland, in 1859. 

N. apicata. Several specimens among herbage on the sand hills, 
Southport, in July, 1859. 

N. fusca. Several from underneath seaweed on the shore at South- 
port, in September, 1859; and also received from T. W. Huthwaite, 
taken at Bath; and I met with it also at Milton, in Northampton- 
shire. 

N. agrestis. From underneath seaweed on the shore, Southport, 
September, 1859. 

N. vigilax. Among herbage on the sand hills, Southport, in July, 


1859. 
Walckeniera monoceros. A single adult male of this oddly-shaped 


spider was discovered by myself at the roots of moss on the sand hills, 
Southport, in September, 1859, and shortly after several more beneath 
pieces of rock and stones at Portland. This species has not before 
been recorded as British. 

W. fastigiata (Argus acuminatus, Walck). A specimen of this species 
(new to Britain) was discovered by myself on the sand hills, Southport, 
June, 1859. 

W.aggeris. This species (new to Science) was discovered by myself 
in plenty at the roots of grass and rubbish on the sides of dry banks 
and ditches, on the sand hills, Southport, during the summer of 1859. 
A description of this species, to which I have given the name of 
“ aggeris,” will shortly appear in the ‘Annals and Magazine of Natural 
History.’ 

W. parallela. This species (not before recorded as British) I dis- 
covered under a piece of rock, near Pennsylvania, Castle Portland, in 
October, 1859. 

Pachygnatha Clerckii. Abundant under Hatta Wall, Formby Par- 
sonage, June, 1859. . 

_ With regard to the method of preserving spiders I would add to 

_ what I said (Zool. 6493) that small bottles are now found, both by Mr. 

Meade and myself, to be far preferable to tubes ; for the bottles can 

_ be corked infinitely tighter than the tubes, and so the evaporation of 
XVIII. L 


6866 Insects, 


the spirit, which was very rapid with the tubes, is almost prevented. 
The bottles are not much more expensive, and, as the shoulder need 
be but very slight, the mouth of the bottle will still be of sufficient size 
to admit of almost as large a spider as the body of the bottle can well 
contain. Up to this season the nature of the ground I have searched 
(wood and heath) has made sweeping and beating the successful modes 
of looking for spiders, but this season these methods have been im- 
practicable on the sand hills, among short herbage and coarse star- 
grass. Among these I have had to go on my knees and separate the 
grass and rubbish, when a living world, both of spiders and beetles, 
has generally been laid open. 
O. PicKARD-CAMBRIDGE, 


Errata —Zool. 6497, for Cespiticola read Cespiticolis; p. 6499, for Pholeus read 
Pholeus; p. 6501, for extansa read extensa; and same page, for ENOcULINA read 
SEenocutina.—O. P.-C. 


Double-broodedness.—The following is a description of the larva of Hemerophila 
abruptaria : — Ground-colour clay-brown mottled with faint green, slightly rugose. 
Head whitish. From the head proceed, as far as the third segment, three dark lines. 
The two outer ones are bordered by a clay-coloured line, which extends to the anal 
segment. In the space formed by these lines are twelve triangular dorsal marks, the 
apices of which meet down the middle of the back. On the anal segment is a black 
tring. The ground-colour is sometimes chocolate-brown, the markings being barely 
discernible. Length 14 inch. Food, privet. The above description is taken from 
larve alive at the present moment. This latter fact induces me to make a few 
remarks upon the question of double-broodedness. I am not aware that H. abruptaria 
is considered to produce two broods in the year. The longer I investigate this 
question (and I have done so with great care the last two years) the more satisfied I 
am that some insects, in one sense are, and in another are not, double-brooded. By 
double-brooded, in its strict signification, I understand eggs to be hatched, say, in 
April; these produce perfect insects in the summer ; in their turn they lay eggs; the 
larve produced from them feed up and become pupe some time in the autumn, and 
all the insects emerge the same year. In such a case I understand an insect to be 
double-brooded in its strict sense. But there is another kind of double-broodedness, 
which I term partial; i.e., eggs are laid, as before, in the summer; these become 
pupe in the autumn; but only three or four, sometimes only one or two, perfect” 
insects appear that year, the remainder passing through the winter in that state, and > 
emerging in the following spring. Assuming my first definition to be correct, I still 
adhere to the opinion T have expressed on former occasions, — that many insects 
termed double-brooded are not so, e.g., Notodonta dictea, N.camelina, N. ziczac, — 
Ptilodontis palpina, &c. Like those who differ from me—viz., Messrs. Crewe, Gas- 
coyne and others—I have paid great and increasing attention to this matter, especially 
since I came into Derbyshire, where (at least in my locality) the dearth of insects is 
so great that I have had ample time to devote myself more particularly to the investi- _ 


Insects. 6867 


gation, I give the following as some of the results. Having prefaced these remarks 
with a description of the larva of H. abruptaria, I will commence with that insect. 
My friend Mr. Crewe, at the beginning of last summer, sent me about a dozen and a 
half nearly full-fed larve of this species, with a request that I would take care of them, 
as he was leaving home for a tour in Scotland. They fed up tolerably well, and in 
due course went down. After the lapse of a month a crippled female appeared, and 
was followed, three days later, by a crippled male. Having kept the female alive, I 
obtained frum this pair of cripples a dozen eggs. The rest of the brood from which 
these two came are still (January) in the pupa state. The dozen eggs hatched almost 
immediately ; the young larve, however, feeding so slowly that I at once suspected 
they were going to bother me by hybernating. When about one-third fed I showed 
them to Mr. Crewe, who paid me a flying visit on his return from Scotland. In spite 
of blandishments, such as juicy food and plenty of it, to persuade them to feed up 
and have done with it, they turned sulky, and exercised a doubtless praiseworthy . 
moderation, continuing, day after day, to nibble at their food (privet) throughout the 
winter. They are now neurly full-fed, but show no signs of going down; and every 
time I remove the gauze cover I find them rigidly extended, with a resolution, I 
would venture to say, worthy a better cause. It is from these I have taken my 
description. Now, from the circumstance of these two crippled specimens having 
emerged from the pupe in the autumn, do | infer that H. abruptaria is a double- 
brooded insect ? Certainly not, at least in the sense in which I understand the term. 
To prove it double-brooded (strictly) ald should have become perfect insects. Had 
they done so I should have said, primd facie, it was a double-brooded insect. But, 
even so, I should not have been quite satisfied. I should continue the investigation 
for two or three seasons longer ; and if I then found that it was the invariable custom 
for all the pupz to produce insects in the autumn, I should unbesitatingly pronounce 
it a strictly double-brooded species. If, on the contrary, I found a very small mino- 
rity only coming to maturity, the remainder passing through the winter as pupe, and 


_ if I found this to be the rule, I should just as unhesitatingly say that the insect was— 


anything you like, except double-brooded. The next example I shall adduce is that 
of P. palpina. A number of larve, recently hatched, were sent to me, at the same 
time as those above-named, by Mr. Crewe. These fed extremely well, and all went 
down, in number I suppose about thirty. One single insect, a male, appeared about 
three weeks afterwards. This specimen I showed to Mr. Crewe. All the others are 
still in pupa. A precisely similar circumstance occurred in 1858, in reference to 
N. ziezac. I found about sixteen eggs of this species in June. In due time they 
hatched, fed and spun up, or went down, whichever is the best term. In this case 
also one insect, and one only, a male, emerged the same year. ‘The last instance I 
shall bring forward is that of S. conspicuaria, In the autumn of 1858 Mr. Crewe gave 
mie six pupe of this insect. These all produced perfect insects the following May. 
From these I obtained eggs, as I was anxious to perpetuate the species, and, if pos- 
sible, introduce it into the county. In this latter effort I fear I have failed, much to 
the satisfaction of some I have no doubt. The larve hatched from these eggs fed up 
very rapidly, and went down, in number about fifty-six. Greatly to my surprise, and 
I may add pleasure, three weeks later one male and two females appeared in the per- 
fect state. From these, again, I obtained a batch of eggs. With equal rapidity these 
fed up and went down; and both sets of pupe are now in statu quo. Once again I 
ask, am I to infer from this fact that S. conspicuaria is double-brooded in the strict 


6868 Insects. 


signification of the term? In my opinion most assuredly not. To carry out my view, 
the whole batch of fifty-six pupe should have produced perfect insects, but only three 
appeared as above {stated. When I say the whole fifty-six should have produced 
insects, I mean, of course, that none should have survived to “ put in an appearance ” 
next spring. It is but honest in me to state that these observations, made by me 
in doors, are apparently utterly at variance with those made by Mr. C. R. Bree out of 
doors (Zool. 5871). Mr. Bree states that in the beginning of August a second brood 
appears, more numerous than the first, z.e.,in May. Now my August brood con- 
sisted of three out of fifty-six, while my brood in the forthcoming May will com- 
ptise the remaining fifty-three, plus those produced from the eggs laid by the August 
three, about as many more! Should these remarks of mine meet his eye or those 
of Mr. Crewe, I shall feel much obliged if they would communicate, in the pages 
of the ‘ Zoologist, some additional and more specific information on the subject. I 
ask this because I know that Stowmarket is the head-quarters of the insect, and that 
both gentlemen had ample opportunities of observing its habits. To proceed. Judging 
exclusively from my own experience, I believe that S. conspicuaria, N. dictea, N. 


ziczac, P. palpina, and probably many others, are partially double-brooded ; that is, a 


few specimens emerge the same year (for what particular purpose I do not know, 
except perhaps to obviate the danger of extirpation,— a circumstance not unlikely to 
occur in the present day), while the vast majority live through the winter in the pupa 
state. Nay, I go further, and must add that according to my experience even this 
very limited appearance is exceptional. I readily allow that the remarks of Mr. 
Gascoyne, of Newark (Zool. and Intell. passim), militate strongly against my theory. 
He speaks of whole broods appearing in the autumn from eggs laid in the spring. 
From what I have already stated it will be seen how completely this is opposed 
to my experience. I do not attempt to explain the discrepancy; but if these few 
remarks are received in the spirit in which they are offered, viz., that of investi- 
gation and inguiry, they may probably provoke a friendly (and I deprecate any 
other) discussion. If so, from amovg your numerous correspondents some further 
and valuable information may reasonably be expected. — Joseph Greene; Culley 
Rectory, Doveridge, Derby, January, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia tenuiata. — Short and stumpy. Ground- 
colour dirty yellowish-green. Sides and centre of back slightly tinged with rose- 
colour. Down the centre of the back a row of very indistinct dusky spots, becoming 
confluent in a black line at the anal segment, and bordered by an interrupted black 
line. On each side a row of slanting tubercular flesh-coloured stripes. Head and 
fore feet black. Feeds on the catkins of sallow, in spring. Full-fed the end of 
March and beginning of April. In appearance it much resembles the larva of 
Eupithecia Haworthiata. I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Doubleday for the 
larva from which the foregoing description was taken.—H. Harpur Crewe ; Medsted, 
Alton, Hants, December 23, 1859. 


Description of the Larva of Eupithecia nanata.— Long and very slender, tapering - 


towards the head. Ground-colour white or greenish-white, with a chain of pear- 
shaped red dorsal spots, bordered on either side by an interrupted line of the same 
colour, and becoming confluent on the capital and anal segments. Sides spotted with 
red. Belly with a central red line running the whole length. Body clothed with a 
few very short hairs. A very pretty variety of this larva has the ground-colour bright 


green, with a series of tooth- or pear-shaped white dorsal spots, intersected by a central — 


Entomological Society. 6869 


horizontal dark green line, becoming purple at the anal tip. Spiracular line white, 
broken. Back sprinkled with a few short black hairs. Feeds on the flowers of 
Calluna vulgaris, in August and September. Pupa enclosed in an earthen cocoon. 
Thorax and wing-cases yellow. Abdomen deeply suffused with red. Thorax con- 
siderably elevated. The pupa of the green variety is suffused all over with 
green.—Id. : 

Xanthia ocellaris. — Through the kindness of Mr. Doubleday, I am able to give 
more conclusive information on this insect than I was (Zvol. 6504), and as it may in- 
terest the readers of the ‘ Zoologist,’ I subjoin his remarks. He states that he has 
received authentic specimens of Xanthia gilvago and Xanthia ocellaris from M. Bel- 
lier de le Chavignerié, and that all the British specimens belong to the former species. 
He also adds that Xanthia ocellaris is very distinct. The upper wings more pointed, 
slightly faleated, aud the nervures paler than the ground-colour of the wings. I have 
availed myself of Mr. Doubleday’s kind information, and forward the above as a sup- 
plement, if I may be allowed to call it such, to my previous notes.— Robert Anderson ; 
York, January 11, 1859. 


Proceedings of Societies. 
Enromotoeicat Society. 
December 5, 1860.—Dr. Gray, President, in the chair. 
Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks. ordered to be pre- 
sented to the donors: —‘ Genera des Coléoptéres, par M. T. Lacordaire, Tome v., 
and ‘ Atlas,’ Livraison1; presented by the Author. ‘Monographie des Elatérides,’ 
par M. E. Candéze; by the Author. ‘Transactions of the Zoological Society,’ 
Vol. iv. Part 6; by the Society. ‘Farm Insects, Part 7; by the Author, John 
Curtis, Esq., F.L.S. ‘The Zoologist’ for December; by the Editor.. ‘The Pro- 
ceedings of the Zoological Society, 1859, Part 2; by the Society. ‘The Atheneum’ 
for October and November; by the Editor. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for November; 
by the Editor. ‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ for November; by the Society. 
* The Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer, Nos. 163 to 166; by H. T. Stainton, Esq. 


Election of Members. 


Roland Trimen, Esq., 71, Guildford Street, Russell Square, and Henry Johnson, 
Esq., 31, St. Mark’s Crescent, Regent’s Park, were balloted for and elected Members 
of the Society. j 


Exhibitions. 


Dr. Wallace exhibited some specimens of the Coquilla nut from South America, 
the kernels of which had been eaten by the larva of Bruchus Bactris, of which he also 
exhibited examples. 

Mr. Janson stated that he had had the larva of this species alive for the last five 
months. 


6870 Entomologieal Society. 


Dr. Wallace also exhibited some specimens of Myrmica domestica, which he had 
lately found in great numbers in his own residence: as this was in the immediate 
neighbourhood of the British Museum, he thought the authorities of that establish- 
ment ought to take every precaution to prevent it from obtaining an entrance therein, 
as it appeared to be impossible to exterminate them when they once obtained a 
lodgment, the nests apparently being situated in the foundations of the houses. 

Mr. Baly exhibited a fine new Hispa, sent from Batchian by Mr. Wallace, and 
read the following description of it:— 


**OXxYCEPHALA IMPERIALIS. 
“ Elongata, subdepressa, pallide fulva, nitida; antennis (basi excepto) piceis ; 
thorace transverso-quadrato, basi ad apicem paullo ampliato, crebre punctato ; 
elytris postice attenuatis, metallico-cyaneis, apice externo rufis, fascia lata 


obliqua, vix ante mediam posita, extrorsum abbreviata, pallide fulva. 
Long. 7 lin. 
“ Hab. Batchian.” 


Mr. Stainton exhibited a specimen of Margarodes unionalis, a species new to 
Britain, taken by Mr. King, at Torquay. 

Mr. Fereday exhibited a beautiful series of Sphinx Convolvuli, captured this 
season; and a variety of Colias Edusa, having the central spot on the anterior wings 
much suffused on the under side. 

Dr. Knaggs brought for distribution amongst the members a number of specimens 
of Amara plebeia, found in his own field at Kentish Town. 

Mr. Tegetmeier exhibited specimens of Apis ligustica, of which he had lately 
received living examples of the queen and workers from the Continent, where it is 
considered a more profitable species to the owner than the common honey bee; he 
hoped, during the next season, to test the correctness of this opinion. 

Mr. Stainton read a paper “ On the Geographical Distribution of British Butterflies.” 

Some conversation ensued on the probability that the few examples of Vanessa 
Antiopa, Argynnis Lathonia, &c., which are found in this country, are specimens bred 
on the Continent, and flown across the channel during favourable weather. Mr. Water- 
house observed that whilst crossing from Liverpool to Dublin in a steamer, a few years 
ago, on a remarkably calm day, when the sea was as smooth as glass, he noticed the 
surface of the water was literally covered with butterflies and other insects, which 
seemed to keep pace with the steamer; thousands of them must have crossed the 
channel that day: he was convinced that the powers of flight possessed by insects 
could hardly be over-estimated. 

The Secretary read a paper by Mr. Wallace, intituled “ Notes on the Habits of 
Scolytide and Bastrichide,” in which the author expressed his opinion (founded on 
extensive observations of the habits of those insects in the islands of the Eastern 
Archipelago) that they only attack trees which are already in a diseased or dying 
state. 


January 2, 1860.—J. O. Westwoop, Esq., F.L.S., in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors :—t The Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. xxii, Part 4 ; ‘ Journal 


Entomological Society. 6871 


of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,’ Vol. iv. No. 15; presented by the Society. 
* Exotic Butterflies, Part 33; by W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.R.S., &c. ‘The Entomo- 
logist’s Annual ’ for 1860; by the Editor, H. T. Stainton, Esq. ‘ The Zoologist’ for 
January ; by the Editor. ‘The Atheneum’ for November and December; by the 
Editor. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for December ; by the Editor. ‘ The Journal of the 
Society of Arts’ for December ; by the Society. ‘ Descriptions of some Asiatic Lepi- 
dopterous Insects belonging to the Tribe Bombyces, by Frederick Moore, Assistant to 
the Natural-History Department of the Museum, India House; by the Author. ‘ List 
of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,’ 
Part xix. Pyralides ; by the Author, Francis Walker, Esq. F.L.S., &c. ‘ Catalogue of 
British Coleoptera,’ sheets H and I ; by the Author, G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., F.L.S, 


Election of a Member and Subscriber. 


J. W. May, Esq., 19, Clifton Road, St. John’s Wood, was balloted for and elected 
a Member of the Society ; and R. G. Keeley, Esq., 11, Sydney Terrace, Marlborough 


Road, Chelsea, and W.G, Pelerin, Esq, 28, Hertford Road, De Beauvoir Square, were 
elected Subscribers to the Society, 


Exhibitions. 

Mr. Samuel Stevens exhibited a large box of insects of various orders, sent from 
Siam by M. Mouhot. 

Mr. Groves exhibited a specimen of Libellula pectoralis of De Selys, a dragon-fly 
new to Britain, taken in June near Sheerness. 

Mr. Westwood exhibited a small Lepidopterous larva with eight ventral and two 
anal prolegs, preserved in spirits, which he had received from a correspondent, who, 
whilst asleep, was aroused by a smart bite inflicted on his instep, and who, on exami- 
nation of the part affected, discovered the larva exhibited. Mr. Westwood observed 
that although some Lepidopterous larve were known to be éarnivorous, and many 
species in confinement would devour other larve, yet, taking for granted that the larva 
exhibited was the real culprit in this case, this was the first instance he had heard of 
their attacking the human species. The larva appeared to be that of one of the Tineide, 
but there was no appearance of a case in which it might have resided. 

Mr. Westwood also exhibited an elytron of a beetle (Broscus cephalotes) received 
from Sir C. Lyell, who had sent it to him as that of a “ fossil” beetle, having been 
obtained from Mundesley, in Norfolk, from a formation containing fish remains (as 
Agassiz determined them) of extinct species, although associated with recent shells, 
Mr. Westwood, however, had no doubt that the elytron was a recent one, and it was 
not difficult to account for it being found in such a situation, as the species is common 
under marine rejectamenta on the coast, and it might readily be supposed that the 
_ working of worms might have carried down so small an article as the elytron of a beetle. 

The fact, however, possesses a certain interest in connexion with that of the flint arrow- 
heads in the drift, which is attracting so much attention at the present time. 

Dr, Allchin exhibited a small flask, constructed of brass, for introducing small 
quantities of chloroform into pill-boxes containing Lepidoptera, for the purpose of 
killing them ; he and others had experienced much inconvenience in using chloroform 
for this purpose when engaged in collecting, and the instrument exhibited was calcu- 
lated to remove all difficulty, as by means of it a single drop could be introduced into 
a pill-box without any risk of spilling or evaporation. 

Part 4 of the current volume of the ‘ Transactions,’ recently published, was on the 
 table.—Z. S. 


6872 York Entomological Society. 


York Enromoxocicat Society. 


The Annual Meeting of this Society was held on the evening of Monday, the 2nd 
inst., at 7, Castlegate, at which Mr. Prest presided. T. Hornby, Esq., of Barmby 
Moor, near York, was elected a Member. 

The Meeting then elected the following officers for the ensuing year: — 
President, Rev. J. D. J. Preston; Vice-Presidents, Rev. F. O. Morris and Mr. 
W. Prest; Committee, Messrs. F. J. Wade, J. Robinson, C. Helstrip, T. Wilson 
and J. T. Carrington; Treasurer, Mr. J. Birks; Secretary, Mr. R. Anderson. 


The following is a copy of the Annual Report:— 


“Tn presenting the third Annual Report, it is satisfactory to observe the steady 
progress of the Society. During the past year thirteen new members have joined, 
whilst it has only sustained the loss of one, leaving an increase of twelve members, 
as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. The ordinary 
monthly meetings have been well attended, and many objects of interest have been 
exhibited, amongst which was a specimen of Anchocelis rufina, captured near York, 
by Mr. Birks, with singular abdominal appendages, not previously noticed, but which 
it is stated subsequent investigation bas shown to be common to other species of the 
genus. From a record kept of the captures during last year, a list has been pre- 
pared, showing that five hundred and twenty-three species of Lepidoptera have 
been taken by the members, of which the following are additions to the previously 
recorded Fauna of this iocality, viz.:—Liparis monacha, Acidalia inornata, Collix 
sparsata, Dicranura bicuspis (pupa), Apamea connexa, Agrotis precox, Cloantha 
Solidaginis, Acentropus niveus, Spilodes sticticalis, Ephestia pinguedinella, Argyro- 
lepia cnicana and Psyche roboricolella, all of which (excepting Dicrauura bicuspis) 
have been exhibited at the meetings. The following are also included in the captures 
of 1859 :—viz., Acherontia Atropos, Sphinx Convolvuli, Sphinx Ligustri, Macroglossa 
bombyliformis, Sesia culiciformis, Lithosia helveola, Epione vespertaria, Ennomos 
fuscantaria, Geometra papilionaria, Phorodesma bajularia, Acidalia rubricata, Acro- 
nycta leporina, Acronycta Alni (larva), Acronycta Ligustri, Leucania pudorina, 
Mamestra abjecta, Teniocampa opima, Tzniocampa Populeti, Orthosia suspecta, 
Heliothis dipsacea, Pyralis glaucinalis, &c. 

“ In consequence of the increasing attendance of members, bi-monthly te 
have been appointed for the winter months. 

« Papers on objects of interest have been read, including one ‘On the Proper 
Method of Setting Insects, by the Rev. F. O. Morris (President), and one ‘On the 
Distinctions of certain Species of Lepidoptera,’ by Mr. Anderson. Several useful 
entomological and botanical works have been added to the library. The thanks 
of members are due to Mr. W. Winter and the Rev. F. O. Morris for donations of 
local species for distribution. | Although Lepidoptera at present appear to absorb the © 
attention of the members, it is hoped that in future other branches of the Science will 
receive due attention, and that persons studying them will not be backward to enter 
the Society, as the Committee will always endeavour to add works on other sections of 
Entomology, and give every facility for their study.”— Robert Anderson, Hon. Sec. ; 
York, January 9, 1860. 


Quadrupeds— Birds. 6873 


Note on the partiality of the Coati-Mundi for Tobacco.—A gentleman, formerly 
resident in Demerara, informed me that a-tame coati-mundi which he possessed 
whilst there would eagerly seize the end of a cigar when offered to him, and, 
unrolling the leaves, would diligently and vigorously rub his tail with them, 
beginning at the root of the tail and subjecting the whole of that organ to this 
singular process. In consequence of this information I tried the experiment on a 
coati-mundi which I have in confinement, and which, to my surprise, immediately 
went through precisely the same performance which my informant had observed in 
his Demerara individual, both with portions of cigar and also with tobacco in the 
form in which it is sold for use in the tobacco-pipe. From the account given to me 
of the tobacco-loving coati-mundi which my friend possessed in Demerara I am dis- 
posed to think that was an individual belonging to a different species from that in my 
possession, and if so the coincidence of habit in this curious particular between the 
two animals is perhaps the more singular on that account.—J. H. Gurney ; Catton 
Hall, Norwich ; February 3, 1860. 


Notes on the Mountain Birds of Jamaica. 
By W. OsBurn, Esq.* 


“ Agualta Vale, Metcalfe, Jamaica, 
January 4, 1860. 

“My dear Sir,—It will, I think, serve in some degree to illustrate 
the remarks I have to make on the birds which frequent this north- 
eastern sea-bord, if [ first note some of the many features which 
distinguish the district from those I have previously visited. 

“ In travelling eastward along the sea-side road through St. Mary’s, 
just after passing the little group of negro-huts and wooden houses 
called Ora Cabessa, the road zigzags to the summit of a lofty pro- 
montory called the Crab Woods. It proves to be perfectly flat for a 
couple of miles, very dry, and, being exposed to the full fury of the 
sea breeze, barren all but a scanty crop of fan-thatch palms and the 
hardy stunted shrubs peculiar to such situations. These, shaped by 
the prevailing direction of the wind like a clipped hedge, keep off the 
breeze, but afford no shade. But on arriving at the eastward edge of 
this table-land, even a mid-day ride across is repaid by the magnificent 
view its elevation gives of the mountains of Metcalfe and St. George: 
they rise in detached and separate peaks, round which the sea breeze, 
however fine the day, scarcely fails to roll some fleecy clouds, and 
therefore differ equally from the successive ridges of the tertiary 
limestone and the ‘crumpled-paper’ appearance of the porphyritic 


* Communicated by P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.R.S. . 
XVIII. M 


6874 Birds. 


conglomerate. From these, ridges and spurs plunge so abruptly into 
the Caribbean, in successive headlands and points, all down the coast, 
perhaps as far as Portland, that the mountains almost seem to rise 
from the sea. The little islet just below, crowned with its tuft of 
green bush, and which renders the deep bay of Port Maria so pic- 
turesque, is tertiary limestone, but the dark cliffs immediately behind 
the town belong to the transition rocks of Sir H. de la Beche, as from 
that point this, our oldest formation, commences. In the lower range 
of the parish of Metcalfe this is represented by a shale, in thin layers, 
often so contorted as to be schistose; in this the mountain torrents 
(called here rivers) have worn channels so deep that a great part of 
their winding courses seems ever in gloomy shade. The rains also 
have an extensive influence on it: when they are unusually heavy the 
torrents carry off their banks, and thus, half water, half land-slip, rush 
down to the rivers, tearing the mountain-sides with those tracks of ruin 
and force familiar to travellers among mountain scenery. Over such — 
a country roads can only be carried with considerable difficulty, and 
the river beds usually serve as such. Under the action of these 
streams the shale seems to dissolve into mud and be entirely carried 
away ; the river-beds are therefore composed of boulders and pebbles, 
chiefly of amorphous rocks washed out of the conglomerates above. 
This ‘ gravel,’ as it is here called, which the Rio Minho must have 
made you familiar with, fills these narrow gorges to the limit of the 
flooding river, usually their whole extent, and composes its bed to the 
sea. Sir Henry de la Beche has introduced between these mountains 
of transition shale and the sea a band of tertiary limestone; but I have 
only been able in Metcalfe to find very occasionally masses of this 
rock, the rest consisting of marls,—in some instances chalky and 
white, but generally so mixed with sand and clays as to be scarcely 
recognisable. 

“This forms a range of hills gently rounded as if by denudation, 
and it is on these much of the sugar cultivation is carried on. The 
narrow border between their base and the beach is occupied by an 
alluvial, the site of a chain of lagoons and swamps. This alluvial 
marks the line of junction of the limestone with the conglomerate, as, 
just below Dover estate, low reefs, close in-shore, of that formation 
may easily be examined. ‘rom this the surf washes out a ‘ gravel’ 
not distinguishable from that brought down by the rivers: its great 
force and constant direction heap this into a ridge higher than the 
land behind it, and thus the rivers on approaching make a sudden 
angle, and after a course of some distance, almost parallel with the 


Birds. 6875 


beach, enter the sea in a very oblique direction, or if the current be 
not very strong the surf places a dry bar completely across it. It is 
on a narrow strip, scarcely more than a bar, of this ‘ gravel, that the 
little town of Annotto Bay is built, in front of a large lagoon and 
morass. The road from thence to Buff Bay runs for a considerable 
distance along it, where it is only just wide anough for the purpose. 
But another source of supply to these swamps, besides the interrupted 
surface drainage, is the great number of springs, of very considerable 
volume, which here find egress. In paddling down a canal cut 


through the morass at Dover I found them welling out between the 


roots of the flags that fringed the low bank at every few yards. This 
is doubtless the drainage from the marly hills, which rises to the sur- 
face at the point it meets with the impervious conglomerate. One 
remarkable feature of this beach of shingle or ‘ gravel’ is that it ren- 
ders the coast quite untenable to the mangrove. Along the whole 
coast line, from the mouth of the Wag Water to St. George's, no 
clump of this tree is to be met with; and this is the more remarkable 
as it has firmly established itself in a large lagoon called Alligator 
Pond, but does not seem able to extend beyond it. I thus have not 
fallen in with a single specimen of the pretty little warbler I alluded 
to in former letters as Sylvicola eoa. The place of the mangrove is 
supplied by a thin line of Coccoloba uvifera, much weather-beaten ; 
and under its shelter flourish many maritime plants and shrubs— 
a Chrysobalanus with leaves and fruit much larger than the species 
common in Westmoreland, and Ecastophyllum Brownei, whose papi- 
lionaceous flowers, of a delicate white, would scarcely have been 
looked for in such a situation. Viewed from the coast the country 
has a cultivated look very unusual in Jamaica. The gently swelling 
hills from Blowing Point, and those all along the base of the higher 
mountains, seem occupied by extensive pastures, and patches of the 
same soft green appear, in the most inaccessible places amid dark 
woods, towards the summits of the mountain peaks. But the hills 
near Blowing Point are now only the site of numerous ‘thrown-up’ 
estates, the cultivated appearance being caused by the almost exclu- 
Sive possession taken of the soil by a ‘Guinea-grass.’ The difference 
between this and the true Guinea-grass of the western parishes is 
well known to the pen-keepers of St. Ann’s, who generally stub it up 
as a noxious weed, under the name of ‘St. Mary’s Guinea-grass.’ 
Whether the distinction between the two has been botanically recog- 
nised I do not know, but in appearance it is considerable, principally 
with regard to size. It is here eight feet high or more, and so 


6876 Birds. 


extremely coarse that horses will eat only the young leaves and 
shoots. It grows equally well along the edges of the morass or hill- 
sides, and once having obtained possession of the soil resists the 
encroachments of the ‘bush. The patches on the mountain-sides 
are doubtless the sites of deserted negro-grounds. 

‘*“T may mention, in connexion with this, that on my first arrival in 
the parish I missed that very familiar bird, Quiscalus crassirostris. 
I soon found, however, that, though it was wanting in the neighbour- 
hood in which I happened to be, small flocks were to be met with 
here and there; but these will bear no comparison, as to number, 
with those of the western parishes. The Crotophagas appear, on the 
contrary, to be increased in numbers. 

“ As I observe, the diminished numbers of the former bird are 
usually to be met with about estates actively cultivated: it may possibly 
be that the tall Guinea-grass which occupies so large a portion of the 
lowlands does not suit them as foraging-ground, which they can only 
find in the small area still cultivated. 

‘“* Another of the remarkable features of the district is the prevalence 
of a palm called by the negroes ‘ Maccafat’ (Cocos fusiformis ?) Its 
tall stem, swelling upwards club-like, is armed with the most formid- 
able thorns. It grows with an abundance I never saw elsewhere in 
Jamaica. It requires care to keep it out of the pastures. There are 
clumps of it along the river-courses ; it abounds in hill-side thickets. 
In the same situations Inga vera is abundant, a tree new to me also, 
whose night-blowing flowers, though faded, are much frequented by 
humming-birds. I can scarcely omit notice of a splendid Aristolo- 
chia common in the hedges here, A. grandiflora? The singular 
helmet-shaped flowers, of a tawny-orange veined with purple, mea- 
sure ten inches across, and are furnished with a long tape-like 
appendage, twenty inches in length, which sways about beneath. A 
single spray will bear numerous flowers in different stages. 

“ One of the points which have attracted my attention the most with 
regard to the birds of the district, I alluded to in my last letter, viz., 
the almost constant occurrence of flocks of Acanthylis along the coast, 
within the sound of the surf. With these I have also often noticed 
flocks of Hirundo euchrysea, similar to those I observed last year at 
this season about Mahogany Hill. On my arrival at this estate I was 
much pleased again to hear, for the first time this winter, the long- 
drawn notes of the solitaire (Piilogonys) ; and yet we are here in the 
alluvial valley of the Wag Water, scarcely more than a mile and 


Birds. 6877 


a half from the beach, and the trees on which the bird was singing 
can hardly be two hundred feet above the sea. 

“Mr. Hill (‘ Birds of Jamaica,’ p. 56) considers Acanthylis only ay 
occasional visitor to-the South-east. | Your observations established 
the same fact for the South-western coast. I found them more com- 
mon, during the winter, at Mahogany Hall (about 1000 feet); but in 
Metcalfe, at the same season, they are constantly to be seen close to 
the sea. 

“ Hirundo euchrysea is so brilliant a little bird that it is almost im- 
possible it could escape an observer of Nature, even were its visits 
very rare. But Mr. Hill is quite silent as to its occurrence in his 
neighbourhood. It escaped your observation for two winters, mine for 
one, in the South-west, though I afterwards saw it close to the 
southern base of the central range at Oxford, in Manchester. At 
Mahogany, at this season, I found them appearing, at intervals, in 
large flocks ; but here the same flocks hunt on fine mornings along 
the coast. 

“ Ptilogonys, I think there can scarcely be a doubt, occurs, during 
the winter, on the South side only, at the elevation you discovered it, 
2600 feet. I met with them in Trelawny at a height I should esti- 
mate at least at 1000 feet less, and here they may be heard at a very 
slight elevation above the sea. 

“And thus, were we to trace on the map lines representing the 
boundaries of the different winter migrations of all three species, they 
would singularly coincide: the great basins of the South side would 
be cut off the lines, keeping close to the central range, or including 
only lofty spurs; whilst on the North side they would descend much 
nearer the coast, keep at a less elevation, and as the mountains 
increased in height and the lowlands shrunk in extent they would 
finally coincide with the coast-line. 

“‘ Hence it appears that these mountain species, though they do not 
frequent the hot South-side plains and coasts, during the winter 
migrate downwards to a certain temperature. And should we be sur- 
prised at this? The influence of altitude on temperature, — an 
influence which intensifies as we approach the tropics, —is fully 
recognised in other departments of Science, and perhaps is less so in 
Ornithology, only because observation in the tropics, where it is 
likely to be most felt, are made with greater difficulty and to a less 
extent than elsewhere. But it should be borne in mind that the 
Hirundines, in migrating downwards as the winter approaches, pro- 
- bably gain an increase of temperature of fifteen or twenty degrees, or, 


6878 Birds. 


what is perhaps the principal object, avoid the heavy rains, fogs and 
cold of the nights and mornings, and find within a short distance all 
the circumstances which combine to produce a plentiful supply of 
prey,—a change evidently quite as adapted to the bird’s wants as 
that which the swifts that wheel round the church towers of England 
obtain after a distant migration. ‘That the distance of a migration is 
very short, is not a reason why it may not be very effective, if these 
circumstances be taken into consideration. Many more instances in 
favour of this might be advanced, and I am inclined to think that the 
further our observations are extended the more will the existence of 
this double migration in the tropics be recognised—the one external, 
or a migration of latitude; the other internal, or a migration of alti- 
tude. In the latter the observer of Nature may see, passing as it 
were before his eyes, a representation of the former. Lines, however, 
representing the boundaries of the swmmer range of these three spe- 
cies, would by no means maintain the same coincidence. 

“ Ptilogonys certainly leaves the mountains of Trelawny during the 
summer, though their elevation is not less than 3000 feet, and, from 
information collected in your work, appears to be confined, for that 
season, to the still higher chains of this end. 

“ Hirundo euchrysea I found at Freeman’s Hall in solitary pairs, 
and but few of them. 

“The line indicated can only be comparatively called the winter 
boundary of Acanthylis, as the powers of flight of these birds are so 
great, and their habits lead them to take so wide a range, that pro- 
bably during the whole summer, under certain conditions of weather, 
&c., they visit at intervals their winter haunts. 

“‘T have given these observations in some detail, because they seem 
of more than mere theoretical importance. The case of a naturalist 
may easily be supposed whom circumstances led to the southern foot 
of the central range during the cold months. He might there see, 
once or-twice, H. euchrysea, and procure specimens; he then might 
pass a whole year on the South coast, and even travel extensively on 
the North coast, without again falling in with them, and thus be led 
to conclude them to be stragglers from some external migration, 
when they really only travel up and down the mountains. 

** A seventh species of Hirundine must be added to our Jamaica 
list. I saw it once, at Falmouth, on the coast, May, 1859, and early 
in the following October at Llandovery Estate, St. Ann’s, close to the 
sea, and a third time here on the 15th of November last. It is imme- 
diately distinguished from H. peeciloma, which it most resembles, by 


Beas 6879 


its long forked tail and more rapid flight, but might easily be taken 
for the English bird, H. rustica, but it is, 1 think, ruddier beneath, 
and has on the outer vane of each tail-feather a conspicuous white 
oval spot. It may possibly prove to be the American barn swallow 
(A. horreorum ; H. americana, Wils.), as I learn from a very care- 
ful paper, published by Messrs. Newton, in the ‘ Ibis, on the birds of 
St. Croix, that they visit that island during the autumn, but in the 
same transient way. * 

“P.S.—The scenery has taken up a larger portion of my letter 
than I contemplated, but I was desirous of carrying into effect your 
valued recommendation of more description of this. I also thought 
it might aid to give a notion of the causes which combine greatly to 
influence the Ornithology of this district. I can scarcely hope I 
have succeeded ; but I thought my only chance was, not to attempt 
to convey impressions merely, but to endeavour to pourtray a few of 
the more salient and peculiar features. The geology seemed the best 
means of doing this, but I have kept to points which I could examine 
for myself, and which appeared quite undeniable. In this I have 
been greatly assisted by De la Beche’s map. 

“ Errata.—May I be permitted to make the following corrections of 
statements in my last letter on Chordeiles :— 

“]. Since writing it an opportunity has been afforded me of re 
perusing White’s ‘ Natural History of Selborne.’? I cannot find the 
remarks I quoted; I have therefore erroneously given him as the 
author of observations I have seen elsewhere. 

“9. T have said, ‘But if the insect intercept the ray, then its 
vibrating gauzy wings enable us to see it at a considerable distance.’ 
This is wrong, because, if it intercepted the light, it would appear 
black. What I should have said is, ‘ But, seen against the shadow 
_ of objects, whilst the insect itself reflects a strong light, its vibrating 
gauzy wings enable us to see it at a considerable distance.’ 

“8. A subsequent sentence should stand thus :—‘ May we suppose 
the eye of the swallow has the same power under whatever circum- 
stances the ray is reflected ?’ 

“T am greatly tasking your friendly interest in thus sending a let- 
ter of errata, but I feel assured you will understand my desire to have 
my statements as correct as possible. 

“T have, during the past week, been exploring the lagoons and 
artificial canals of this low-lying district, but not with any great 


* Or H. fulva, Vieill., perhaps; but neither of these species has any white on the 
inner vanes of the tail-feathers—P. H. G. 


6880 7 Birds. 


success, from the difficulty of procuring a canoe, and still greater of a 
boatman; for the negroes hereabouts are particularly independent 
and unmanageable. The pretty little rail, Ortygometra carolina, I 
find very abundant in such places. I have a specimen in which the 
buff colour of the vent-feathers is very conspicuous. 


“'W. OsBURN. 
“To P. H. Gosse, Esq.” 


Notes on the Habits of the Jabiru. By Grorcr BENNETT, Esq. * 


A sHoRT time since I purchased this rare bird, which was brought 
alive to Sydney from Port Macquarie, and so little being known 
respecting its habits I considered the following notes might be 
interesting. It appears to be a young male, and walks about the 
yard of the house quite domesticated, making no attempt to fly, nor 
showing any inclination to leave its domicile. These birds have a 
wide range over the colony, more particularly about the northern coasts 
of Australia, and are seen occasionally within the heads and about the 
sand-banks of the Clarence and Macleay Rivers. They are very difficult 
of approach, and consequently but few have been obtained, this being 
the first specimen ever brought alive to Sydney. Among the principal 
residents in the interior, some inform me that they have only seen four, 
others only one, during a residence of from twenty-five to thirty years 
in different parts of the colony. In Leichardt’s expedition (according 
to the account of Mr. Murphy, now residing in Sydney) only two were 
seen, and these could not be approached sufficiently near to be shot. 
In 1839 a specimen was shot on Hunter’s River, and another on the 
north shore, near Sydney, about three years since, both of which were 
presented to the Australian Museum. ‘The person who shot the last 
bird had the greatest difficulty in procuring it, from its being so very 
shy and watchful: he was obliged to follow it for several days in its 
haunts about the salt-water creeks, until he could get sufficiently near 
to shoot it, which, being a good marksman, he achieved as soon as he 
could approach within range. Both these specimens were full-grown 
males, and in fine and brilliant adult plumage. These birds being so 
rarely seen, and difficult to procure when seen, are valuable as speci- 
mens when dead, and much more so when alive. Many of the residents 
of the northern districts had seen the bird, but rarely, and at a distance, 


* From the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society.’ 


Birds. 6881 


and were aware how difficult it was to procure them; but none had 
ever seen it in captivity before, and it was therefore regarded with 
great interest. The number of skins of this bird I have seen during 
my residence of twenty-two years in the colony only amounts to four. 
The bird is very graceful : its attitudes and bearing, whether in a state 
of repose, stalking rapidly, or walking gently over a lawn or yard, with 
its measured noiseless steps, have a combination of grace and elegance, 
and it displays an independence of manner that might be expected in 
a bird so wild and roaming in its habits. It is gentle and good- 
tempered, soon gets reconciled to captivity, and seems to take pleasure 
in being noticed and admired, remaining very quiet to be looked at— 
keeping a bright eye upon the spectator, however, during the time. 
Although when first seen it has an uncouth appearance, from the large 
size of the mandibles in proportion to the body, yet on‘a closer acquaint- 
ance its manner wins upon you, and a feeling of attachment arises 
towards it from its placid, tame, domesticated manner, elegance of form, 
graceful carriage and beautiful metallic brilliancy of plumage, more 
especially over the head and neck. 

This bird had been in captivity four months previous to its arrival 
in Sydney, having been captured by the blacks. It permits any one 
to approach it, only timidly moving away when an attempt is made to 
touch it. It sometimes stands quite erect, or on one leg, with the 
other thrown out; or rests upon the tarsi, like the emu and mooruk, 
and again upon one leg, with the bill inclined upon the breast. It 
was very hungry on its arrival at my house, and with the greatest facility 
devoured 3 tb. of beef, cut into small species, placed in a tub of water, 
or caught the meat in the mandibles when thrown to it. It also feeds 
on fish and reptiles. When the food is hard or gristly it is rejected 
from the mandibles after trying to masticate it, and bruised with the 
point of the beak until it becomes sufficiently soft to be swallowed. 
It feeds generally in the mornings and evenings ; and although the 
mandibles look so large, it picks up the smallest object with great 
readiness, and clatters the mandibles with a loud noise when catching 
flies. 

It preens its feathers, and removes any dirt or insects from them 

_ very neatly with the bill, accompanying the action with a degree of 
ease and grace pleasing to observe. When a tub of water was placed 
near it, it placed one leg in it, and after drinking filled its beak with 
water and threw it out again, as if washing out the mandibles. The 

- eye is very large and remarkably brilliant, and yet imparts to the bird 

» agreat docility of expression, making it appear— what it is—an amiable 

XVIII. N 


6882 Birds. 


bird, familiar with all around it, liking to court admiration, yet on the 
watch for any act of aggression. It appears pleased to see any 
stranger, and evinces but little fear. The horses coming into the yard, 
even close to it, or any noise, does not seem to annoy it; it only moves 
gently out of the way. When suddenly started it will flap its long 
and powerful wings, as if preparing for flight ; and it may be regarded 
as a bird of flight, the whole bulk of the body being so light in 
comparison with its powerful wings. This bird is partial to salt- 
water creeks and lagoons. It is usually seen in such localities on 
the Hunter, Macleay and Clarence Rivers, which consist, near the 
entrance and for some miles distant, of salt water with numerous sand- 
banks, where these birds may be occasionally observed busily engaged 
in fishing. The beak of this bird is large, broad, conical and pointed ; 

the lower mandible is slightly curved upwards; the colour is black. 
The head is large, and neck thick ; both the head and neck are of a 
rich, deep, glossy green, stawenig, when it reaches the occiput, into 
beautiful iridescent colours of violet and purple, which, when viewed 
under a brilliant sunshine or in a changing light, display the iridescent 
tints in a most brilliant manner, shining with a metallic effulgence 
equal to that seen in the peacock. ‘The greater wing-coverts, scapu- 
laries, lower part of the back and tail, dark brown mixed with rich 
bluish green, which changes in the adult to a rich glossy green, tinged 
with a golden lustre. The smaller wing-coverts, lower part of the 
neck and back and upper part of the breast white, speckled with ashy 
brown, which becomes white in the adult. Lower part of the breast, 
thighs and inner part of the wings white. Eyes brilliant, and dark 
hazel in colour. The legs are blackish, with a dark tinge of red, 
becoming in the adult a bright red colour, which, as I have been 
informed, when the bird flies with legs stretched out, looks like a long 
red tail. The legs are usually dirty with excremental matter, imparting 
to them a white appearance, so that the natural colour is seldom seen, 
except when they just emerge from the water. It is a large feeder, 
and these birds must consume, in their native haunts, a great quantity 
of fishes and reptiles. 

It measures three feet ten inches to the top of the head, and is not 
yet full grown; they are said to attain four to five feet in height. It 
is shy of disposition and difficult of approach in its wild state: this 
can readily be supposed when it is observed in captivity ; for although 
very docile and readily tamed, still the keen, watchful eye appears 
always upon you, with a brilliant and piercing look, which causes a 
feeling of the impossibility of escaping its penetrating glance. Its 


Birds. 6883 


feeding-grounds and places of rest being about sand-pits, sand-banks 
and exposed morasses near the sea-coasts, it is impossible to approach 
this wary bird without being seen. ‘The first evening it was at my 
house, seeking for a roosting-place, it walked into the hall, gazed at 
the gas-lamp, which had just been lighted, and then proceeded to 
walk up stairs, but, not liking the ascent, quietly walked down 
again, returned into the yard, and afterwards went to roost in the 
coach-house between the carriages, to which place it now retires 
regularly every evening soon after dark. It is always observed to 
face the sun, and moves about the yard following the course of that 
luminary: it may always be found in that part of the yard where the 
sun is shining, and with the face invariably towards it. When hungry 
it follows the cook about (who usually feeds it); and if she has 
neglected its food, looks into the kitchen, as if to remind her of the 


neglect, and waits quietly, but with a searching eye, during the time 


EEE EE 


a 


ia 


the meat is cutting up until it is fed. It is amusing to observe this 
bird catch flies: he remains very quiet, as if asleep, and on a fly 
passing him it is snapped up in his beak in an instant. The only 


time I observed any manifestation of anger in him was when the 


mooruks were introduced into the yard where he was parading 


about: these rapid, fussy, noisy birds running about his range ex- 


cited his indignation, for on their coming near him he slightly elevated 
the brilliant feathers of the head, the eyes became very brilliant, he 
ruffled his feathers and clattered his mandibles, as if about to try their 
sword-like edge upon the intruding mooruks; but his anger sub- 
sided with these demonstrations, except an occasional flapping of his 
powerful wings. One day, however, on one of the mooruks ap- 
proaching too near him, he seized it with his mandibles by the neck, 
on which the mooruk ran ANY | and did not appear in any way 
injured. 


On the Great Auk (Alca impennis). By Epwarp Cuartton, M.D. * 


NoT many generations ago, and long subsequent to the great era 
of the invention of printing, some gigantic birds inhabited the 
southern hemisphere, but have now become utterly extinct. The 
dodo has disappeared from its last habitat in the Isle of France, and 
not even a perfect skeleton has been secured of its remains ; while a 
still larger bird, the Dinornis of New Zealand, has been in existence, 


* From the ‘ Transactions of the Tyneside Natural History Society.’ 


6884 Birds. 


perhaps, within the memory of persons yet living, or, at all events, 
individuals of the species survived until very recent times. 

In the far North, in our own days, a similar fate threatens the bird 
we are about to speak of, though we rejoice to say it cannot be con- 
sidered as entirely extinct. The destruction of the dodo was, doubt- 
less, owing to the great facility with which that bird was captured, 
and to the excellence of its flesh for the table; and the latter cause, 
no doubt, influenced the inhabitants of New Zealand when they 
hunted down the Dinornis to its utter extirpation. 

Not only is the great auk a timid, stupid and gregarious bird, espe- 
cially in the breeding season, but its flesh was anxiously sought for 
by the earlier navigators, as superior to that of all others of its tribe. 
We do not, however, suppose that those rough mariners: were very 
particular in their diet. Any fresh meat would taste exquisitely after 
weeks and months of privation on salted provisions ; and even at the 
present day the inhabitants of Northern Europe, of Iceland, and of 
the Faroe Islands, maintain that the guillemot and the razorbill are 
culinary delicacies of a superior description. 

Many of the modern writers on Ornithology have come to the con-- 
clusion that the great auk is now really an extinct species. We hope, 
however, to show that it is not, as yet, entirely extirpated, though, at 
the same time, we confess our inability to point out its precise habi- 
tat. At long intervals, sometimes of ten or fifteen years, a few indi- 
viduals of this species have made their appearance, during the present 
century, in the Icelandic seas and other parts of the Arctic Ocean ; 
but no breeding-places to which these birds annually resort is now 
known to naturalists. With the exception of the late Mr. Bullock, of 
London, no ornithologist of the present century has observed the 
great auk in its wild state. Mr. Bullock, as is well known, chased 
one of these birds in a six-oared boat off the Island of Papa Westra, 
in the Orkneys, in 1812, where they had bred for many years. The 
female bird was soon after shot, and sent up to London. But even 
the older naturalists rarely saw this bird alive. Wormius (or Ole 
Worm), the Danish naturalist, who wrote in 1655, is almost the only 
one who speaks of its habits from actual observation. “I received,” 
says he, “ three skins of this rare bird from Ferro, and also a living 
individual from the same locality. The live bird I kept for several 
months in Copenhagen. It was probably a young one of the species, 
as in size it did not much exceed the bigness of a goose. It could 
swallow at once a whole herring, and occasionally could take three in 
succession ere it was satiated.” Wormius’s figure in his Museum 


Birds. 6885 


Wormianum is, on the whole, pretty accurate, with the exception of 
the ring round the neck; and it is probably the only drawing that has 
been taken from the living bird. His specimen, when drawn, was 
evidently in summer plumage, for in winter the black colour of the 
throat and fore-neck is replaced by white. According to Benicke, a 
writer in Oken’s ‘ Isis’ for 1824 (p. 88), the eye-spot becomes, in win- 
ter, of a dark brown, interspersed with a few white feathers. The spe- 
cimen in the Museum of Natural History is undoubtedly an immature 
bird: it belongs to the old Wycliff Museum; but no record has been 
preserved of where it was obtained. Friedrich Faber, in his excel- 
lent ‘Monograph of the Birds of Iceland, published in 1822, at 
Copenhagen, states that, during his three years’ residence in Iceland, 
he was never able to meet with a single specimen. | 

Faber’s work has unfortunately never been published in the English 
language, though the late Professor Jameson, of Edinburgh, long ago 
told us that he had translated it, and we ourselves prepared another 
version of it more than twenty years ago, which has remained in 
MS. ever since. “According to native accounts, the Geirfugi, or 
great ank, formerly bred upon two isolated rocks to the south of Ice- 
land. One of these lies about fourteen miles to the south of the 
Westmann Isles; and the other, on which the bird was said to have 
been much more plentiful, is the first of three rocks off the projecting 
point of Rekjanes, on the south-west of Iceland, and about twenty 
English miles from the land.” 

Eggert Olafsen, in his ‘ Travels in Iceland’ (p. 983), accurately 
describes the great auk, and indicates its two breeding-places, adding 
that when he was upon Vidoe two boats went off to the Reykianes 
Rock, and brought him both the birds and the eggs. This was in the 
year 1770, or thereabouts. “ Fora long time,” continues Faber, “ the 
Icelanders have relinquished the dangerous voyage to the Geirfugi 
Skjaer, as it could only be attempted, with any chance of success, in 
the calmest weather, and even then a man had to spring from the boat 
on to the rock, with a rope round his body, by which, after searching 
the islet, he was dragged off again through the ever-boiling waves.” 

In the summer of 1821 Faber hired a fishing yacht at Reykiavik, 
and, along with a Danish merchant and a Swedish Count, reached 
the rocks off Reykianes on the 25th of June. For two days they 
’ cruised off these dangerous skerrys, and once accomplished a landing, 
though the Count narrowly escaped with his life, having fallen be- 
tween the boat and the rocks when attempting to leap on shore. 
There was not, however, a single bird of this species to be seen ; and 


6886 Birds. 


the same ill success attended his visit, the same year, to the other 
habitat of the great auk, near the Westmann Islands. The fishermen, 
however, in many parts of Iceland, maintained that they saw the bird 
every year upon the coasts. They seemed to know it well, for they 
were perfectly aware of its inability to fly, and believed it to be blind, 
from a flap of skin that hung down over its eyes, an idea undoubtedly 
derived from the remarkable eye-spot so conspicuous on the summer 
plumage. 

In the summer of 1813 a vessel from Faroe was becalmed off the 
Geirfugi Skjaer, at Reykianes. The crew, observing the rocks close 
by to be free from surf, put out their boat, and, landing on the islet, 
found on it a number of great auks. Of these birds they knocked 
down with their sticks and secured between twenty and twenty-five 
individuals, and drove the rest into the sea. One of the birds was 
taken alive, and brought to Bishop Vidalin, at Reykiavik, who had 
the specimen stuffed, and sent it to a friend in England. The others, 
I regret to say, were sold on the spot, and eaten. In the succeeding 
year (1814) seven of these birds were killed by a peasant at Lautrum 
bird-cliffs, on the north-west coast of Ireland. They had scrambled on 
to the low ledges at the foot of the bird-cliff, and were there overtaken 
by their captors. One of them, before it was taken, bit a boy so 
severely through the sleeve of his calf-skin jacket that the blood ran 
down his arm. 

The farmer on the Westmann Islands informed Faber that about 
the year 1800 he caught the only bird of this species he had ever 
seen, at the bottom of the cliffs on those islands. It was sitting on 
its egg, which he correctly described to Faber as being nearly equal 
in size to that of the wild swan, and in form and colour exactly 
resembling that of the razorbill. 

In 1823 two great auks were killed on a low rock near the trading 
station of CHiebakke, on the southern coast of Iceland. 

In 1880 and 1831 not less than twenty-seven specimens were 
obtained on the Reykianes habitat; and from that time till 1840 
about half-a-score were obtained in the same locality. 

The last birds taken in Iceland were a pair, male and female, 
which were shot in 1844, at their nest, on a little islet near to 
Reykianes. 

Of the great auk’s appearance in our own British seas during the 
present century, there have been but very few instances indeed. 
Besides the specimens obtained in Orkney by Mr. Bullock, one was 
captured in 1822, in St. Kilda; and the most recent instance on 


Birds. 6887 


record is that of a specimen now in the Dublin University Museum, 
which was taken in May, 1834, on the coast of Waterford. The bird 
was first seen close to the yaul of a fisherman, and apparently in a 
starved condition ; for on his holding out some sprats to it, it came 
close to the boat for them. This may, however, have been only that 
the bird was so little acquainted with man, and quite corresponds 
with the ancient accounts of its stupid character. Another bird of the 
species, probably the male of this, was shortly afterwards procured in 
the same locality, but was not preserved. 

In Northern and North-eastern Europe the great auk is equally 
rare. According to Benicke, a specimen of the great auk was shot in 
1794, in the harbour of Kiel, in Holstein; and in 1838 another bird 
of the species was killed in the neighbourhood of Freidrikstadt. It 
seems almost certain, too, that in 1848 a great auk was shot on the 
Island of Wardoe, within the Arctic circle, by one of the peasants 
there. It is possible that this bird formerly even bred in Denmark, 
for portions of its skeleton have been found and recognised in the 
so-called “‘ Kjokken Moddinger,” the remnants of the repasts of the 
aborigines of that country. The bird seems, therefore, in former 
times, to have been widely distributed on the Atlantic coasts; but its 
principal habitat was undoubtedly on the eastern coasts of Newfound- 
land and Labrador. Possibly, in earlier times, it. was much more 
numerous on the eastern shores of the great Atlantic Ocean; but, on 
the other hand, the few scattered individuals that have appeared on 
our shores, and in the Faroe and Orkney Isles, may have been origi- 
nally driven by stress of weather from the American coast, and 
have settled down on the rocks that they had taken refuge on. On 
the Newfoundland fishing-banks the great auk was two centuries ago 
to be found in great abundance. Its appearance was always hailed 
by the mariner approaching that desolate coast as the first indication 
of his having reached soundings on the fishing-banks. During the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries these waters, as well as the Ice- 
land and Faroe coasts, were annually visited by hundreds of ships 
from England, France, Spain, Holland and Portugal; and these ships 
actually were accustomed to provision themselves with the bodies and 
eggs of these birds, which they found breeding in myriads on the low 
islands off the coasts of Newfoundland. Besides the fresh birds con- 
sumed by the ships’ crews, many tons were salted down for further 
use. In the space of an hour, these old voyagers tell us, they could 
fill thirty boats with the birds. It was only necessary to go on shore, 
armed with sticks, to kill as many as they chose. The birds were so 


6888 Birds. 


stupid that they allowed themselves to be taken up, on their own 
proper element, by boats under sail; and it is even said that on 
putting out a plank it was possible to drive the great auks up out of 
the sea into the boats. On land the sailors formed low enclosures of 
stones, into which they drove the penguins, and, as they were unable 
to fly, kept them there enclosed till they were wanted for the table. 

In 1841 a distinguished Norwegian naturalist (too early, alas! lost 
to Science), Peter Stuwitz, visited Tunk Island, or Penguin Island, 
lying to the east of Newfoundland. Here, on the north-west shore of 
the island, he found enormous heaps of the bones and skeletons of the 
great auk, lying either in exposed masses or slightly covered by the 
earth. On this side of the island the rocks slope gradually down to 
the shore ; and here were still standing the stone fences and enclosures 
into which the birds were driven for slaughter. It is said, too, that as 
the birds were fat, and burnt well, they were actually used for fuel, 
as the dried bodies of the auks and guillemots are still employed on 
the Westmann Islands. 

Holbdll tells us that no specimen of the great auk has been seen in 
- Greenland since 1815; but Dr. Pingel informed us, in Copenhagen, in 
1836, that two birds of the species had been killed there since 1830. 
One was eaten by the Moravian missionaries as a wild goose! and the 
other was preserved, and is now in the collection of an ornithologist 
at Schleswig. 

It has been surmised that the present habitat of the great auk may 
be upon the inaccessible coast of Kast Greenland ; but ships sailing 
between Iceland and that country never meet with the great auk upon 
their passage; nor was the bird observed by Scoresby or the few 
other navigators who approached these ice-bound shores. Nor did 
Graah observe this bird during his toilsome researches east of Cape 
Farewell. 

It is possible that a few of these birds still survive on the islets of 
Newfoundland or Labrador ; but, if not already extirpated, the great 
auk will, ere many years have elapsed, be numbered amongst the 
things that were. 


Whitetailed Eagle (Falco albicilla) near Eastbourne. — A most magnificent speci- 
men of this eagle was shot on Saturday last, at Birling Gap, by Mr. John Hicks, 
chief boatman of that station. It was feeding on a dead turtle that had been washed 
ashore by the late heavy gales. It weighs nearly 8 ibs., measures from tip of bill to 
end of tail 3 feet, and about 7 feet from tip to tip of the wings. It had been seen 


Birds. 6889 


about the neighbourhood several days. ‘The bird is now in my possession. — John 
Dutton ; South Street, Eastbourne, December 23, 1859. 

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) near Eastbourne. —A fine female peregrine 
falcon was shot near here this week, which I saw in the flesh. A fine buzzard was 
also shot at Compton Place, Eastbourne, the seat of the Hon. Mr. Cavendish.—Id. 

Occurrence of the Osprey (Falco halizétus) in Derbyshire. — About two months 
since a very fine specimen of the osprey was shot by my relative Sir J. Harpur Crewe, 
Bart., on part of the Trent which runs through his property in Derbyshire, and is now 
in his collection at Calke Abbey. The bird had, I hear, for some little time fre- 
quented the river near the spot where it was killed. — H. Harpur Crewe ; Wickham 
Market, Suffolk, Junuary 31, 1860. 

What is Falco Forskalii ? — Some little time since I had an egg, very similar in 
appearance to a kite’s or common buzzard’s, sent to me from Germany, distinctly 
marked “ Falco Forskalii.” I shall feel greatly obliged if any of your numerous 
readers will inform me what region F. Forskalii is supposed to inhabit, as I cannot 
find it named in any work to which I have access. — W. Webster; Upton Hall, 
Birkenhead, February 8, 1860. 

[Falco Forskalii, or the black kite, is a native of Europe, Asia and Africa. There 
are specimens in the British Museum from Sweden, Nepal, Egypt and the Cape. In 
private collections I have seen specimens of this bird from France, Germany, Portu- 
gal and Morocco. It is also called Falco ater, F. etolius, F. austriacus, F. fusco- 
ater, F. regalis, F. cinereo-ferrugineus, F. egyptius, F. migrans and F. parasiticus. 
One of these names, F. regalis, was applied in error by Pallas, who believed it a 
variety of the common kite. The numerous other names indicate slight differences, as 
of age, sex or country.—EZ. Newman.] 

Occurrence of the Roughlegged Buzzard (Falco lagopus) at King’s Lynn.—I have 
had a fine female specimen of this bird sent to me for preservation. It was shot at 
Gaywood, near Lynn, in October, 1859. I was informed that when taken it was about 
seizing a chicken. I have also received a male specimen of the cinereous shrike 
(Lanius excubitor), shot in November, at Churchwarton, near Lynn.—W. Wilson ; 
Museum, King’s Lynn, January 26, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Alpine Accentor (Accentor alpinus) near Cheltenham, and the 
Glossy Ibis (Ibis falcinellus) in Somersetshire.—A fine specimen of the alpine accentor 
was shot some time ago near Cheltenham ; and that beautiful bird the glossy ibis was 
taken at Shapwick, in the county of Somerset, some months ago, and is in the 
possession of Mr, White, an intelligent bird-stuffer, living in the upper part of the 
Bath Road.—H. W. Newman; Hillside, Cheltenham, February 1, 1860. 

Greenfinch and Linnet Mule.—On Monday, November 14, 1859, a curious hybrid 
was taken near Brighton, in the common clap-nets used by bird-catchers. It wasa 
cross between the greenfinch (Fringilla chloris) and the brown linnet (F. cannabina). 
This remarkable specimen had the large beak, legs, claws, and thick skull of a green- 
finch, with the colours on the breast, back and elsewhere of the brown linnet, except 
that the tail-feathers and primaries were marked with yellow where there is white in 
the linnet, forming together, to an ornithological eye, a most strange combination. 
The feathers of this hybrid were clean and perfect, showing no marks of confinement ; 
nor indeed would these birds produce a cross in captivity. When we consider how 
strictly Nature has guarded her boundaries, and how rarely we find any intermixture 
of species in a state of freedom, the muel bird under consideration is the more 


XVIII. O 


6890 Birds. 


interesting. It has been carefully preserved by Mr. Swaysland, of 4, Queen’s Road, 
and is now in the possession of Mr. Bond, of 24, Cavendish Road, St. John’s Wood, 
who will be happy to show it to any gentleman who will call— Edward Newman. 

Note on a Variety of the Chaffinch (Fringilla celebs), and on a Coot (Fulica atva) 
found in an odd Situation. — The variety from which I subjoin the following descrip- 
tion was procured near the town of Kettering, Northamptonshire, on the 3rd of December, 
1859. This same bird had been observed for some months previous to its capture by 
various persons, as also by the Rev. F.Tearle; but all attempts, which were not a few, 
to shoot it were futile until the time named above. It is the only instance of a pied 
chaffinch having come under my notice. The pied markings of this bird are as fol- 
lows: —Bill much paler blue than in an ordinary specimen, slightly tipped with 
black. Head and neck white, with the exception of a brownish feather or two; 
a band of darkish feathers passes round the back part of the head, in the shape of a 
half-circle, from behind each ear ; ear-coverts buffish orange. Back pied white and 
brown. Rump green. Tail black, with the two outer feathers on each side edged 
with white. Breast, belly and vent pinkish buff. Eyes hazel. Legs and toes light 
brown. The bird is an adult male. About three weeks since the gardener of 
Downing College brought me a coot, which he said he had found down his kitchen 
area, closely snugged up in one corner. The weather at the time was mild; nor 
had there been any heavy gales blowing. The bird appeared to be in a perfectly 
healthy state, and showed no marks of recent confinement. What could have induced 
it to choose such a strange situation? —J. P. Saville ; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge, 
February 7, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Coral Waxbill (Estrella astrild) in the Isle of Wight. — On the 
8th of November last no less than three of these little exotic finches were observed in 
the neighbourhood of Freshwater Bay. One moment they were on the ground 
feeding, the next hidden in some bush. It was this movement that caused me to notice 
them. After some trouble I succeeded in shooting one. Its crop was distended with 
the pup of a dipterous insect. These birds are said to feed upon millet in their 
native country ; but here they would be more likely to suffer from cold than from the 
want of that food. The specimen alluded to is in the possession of Mr. F. Bond, who 
informs me that the species inhabits Africa and the Mauritius, and is frequently seen 
in the shops of the London fanciers, who call it the “ coral waxbill,” and who do not 
consider it very hardy. Possibly those I saw had escaped from confinement, or from 
a ship passing the island or wrecked on its coast: there is no probability of their 
having voluntarily made so long a pilgrimage from their native country.—Henry 
Rogers ; Freshwater, Isle of Wight, February 3, 1860. 

Nest of the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis).—In the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1858 (Zool. 
6327), I gave an account of an examination of the nest of the green woodpecker, and 
of the actions of the bird after the entrance of the nest had been stopped up with 
aturf. In the spring of the year 1859 it was observed that this obstruction was 
removed, probably through the influence of the rain in winter, and consequently that 
the orifice was now of much larger size than is usual in the nest of this bird. But in 
April it was further noticed that the cavity in the tree was occupied with materials of 
some other kind than is usual with the woodpecker, and that, among other things, 
wool was to be seen. This was soon explained by the discovery that the convenient 
cavity had been seized by a jackdaw, several of which are in the habit of associating 
with the rooks of the rookery close by. The unfortunate woodpecker had been antici- 


Birds. 6891 


pated by the black intruder, and thus was expelled from its hereditary tree, to seek a 
refuge in some new and untried region; but it was long before I was able to discover 
to what new district it had taken itself. I have little difficulty in believing that this 
was at the distance of about a mile; but it seems remarkable that it should select a 
spot where secrecy and solitude are out of the question. For the first time, in 1859 a 
woodpecker’s nest was discovered in the body of a pollard-ash tree, at a small distance 
from a frequented farm-house, in the close neighbourhood of a wood, but still at such 
a distance from other trees as to allow the watchful bird to discover any one from 
whom danger could be feared to its personal liberty. — Jonathan Couch ; Polperro, 
Cornwall, February, 1860. 

Attachment of the Creeper (Certhia familiaris) to its Nest and Eggs. — During the 
spring of 1859 I met with a most remarkable instance of the attachment of the creeper 
to its nest and eggs. Early in May a pair of these birds built their nest in a wooden 
shed which covered a saw-pit; the nest was placed between the wall and a loose board 
which was leaning against it, and was an extremely neat structure, formed of little 
chips of wood, straw, roots, &c., and thickly lined with feathers. Not long after the 
eggs were laid the saw-pit was occupied by workmen, who were soon busy at their 
noisy employment within a few feet of the nest; but the hen still sat on. Nor was 
this her only trial: twice I found the board removed by mischievous boys, the nest 
being thus laid bare; but on my carefully replacing it the poor little mother returned 
to her eggs. She hatched her young, but they were destroyed by a cat.—&#. R. Alston ; 
Stockbriggs,” Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire. 

Mode of Feeding of the Marsh Titmouse (Parus palustris). ie following curious 
habit of the marsh titmouse is not noticed by Mr. Yarrell. When this bird is 
searching for insects in the rough bark of the Scotch fir, it may sometimes be observed 
to insert its beak under a scale of bark, and prize it off with a jerk, which sends the 
piece to some distance. While watching a pair of these birds so employed I was 
struck on the nose by a fragment of bark, although I was standing at some little dis- 
tance from the tree on which the birds were at work. After examining the place thus 
laid bare the bird proceeds to another scale.—Id. 

Martins near Christmas.—In the winter of the present year the cold weather came 
on us rather early, and the snow had lain on the ground for three days, with frost ; 
the thermometer 33° in my bedroom. About mid-day a small flight of martins made 
their appearance, after having been lost to us for more than two months. They 
appeared much more active in hawking for flies than were blackbirds and thrushes, 
which indeed were much tamed by the cold.—Jonathan Couch ; Polperro, Cornwall. 

Occurrence of the Gray Phalarope (Phalaropus platyrhynchus) at Swansea.— A 
specimen of the gray phalarope was shot in this neighbourhood last week.— 
D. Williams ; 56, Wind Street, Swansea, November 23, 1859. 

The Arctic Tern (Sterna arctica) nesting on Fresh Water.—In Thompson’s ‘ Birds 
of Ireland, vol. iii. p. 295, it is stated that, “as far as the observation of the writer 
extended, the arctic tern selects only maritime localities for breeding-places.” That 
the observation of so diligent and accurate a naturalist was in the main correct is 
highly probable ; but it may be worth recording, if only as an exceptional case, that, 
upon the islets in Lough Carra, Co. Mayo, the arctic tern breeds in company with 
the common tern ; for out of some six or seven birds which I shot there in June, 1851, 
at least two belonged to the arctic species; and I have their feet and skulls still by 


6892 Fishes, &c. 


me, as a conclusive proof that there was no error made in the name. — A. G. More ; 
Vectis Lodye, Bembridge, February, 1860. 

Errata to the Article upon Rare Birds in the Isle of Wight (Zoo). 6849).—P. 6851, 
line 12, instead of “ birds” read “ bird ;’ only one was shot. P. 6855, line 8, instead 
of “considered” read “ considers.” P. 6858, line 8, instead of “ Normon” read 
“ Mormon” (i. e., Fratercula). P. 6858, line 7, instead of “ certainly” read “ suffi- 
ciently.” —Id. 

Occurrence of the Forktailed Petrel (Thalassidroma Leachii) at Poole.—On the 4th 
ult. I was fortunate enough, favoured by the heavy gales of that date, to make the 
acquaintance of this bird. It is a very fine specimen, and I have sent it to be pre- 
served for our Museum of Local Natural History, Geology and Antiquities, which I 
am trying to establish here, in connexion with our Literary Institute. Is uot this the 
first recorded instance of its having occurred in Dorset? A pair of them were 
observed in our harbour by one of our gunners (men who get a living by shooting 
wild-fowl), and he shot one for me; the other one he could not get at, and has not 
seen since. It is very rare here; none of the gunners or our harbour sportsmen knew 
what it was, or ever recollected having seen it here before as far as I could ascertain. 
I immediately recognised it as a petrel, the stormy petrel being occasionally seen near 
here; and my friend the Rev. Mr. Green, of Hamworthy Rectory, identified it for me 
as the forktailed petrel— William Penney ; Poole, November, 1859. 


Capture of the Globe Fish (Tetradon stellatus) in the Solent Water.— A specimen 
of this fish was captured by one of our townsmen, G. Braxton Aldridge, Esq., in the 
Solent Water, about the middle of August last. He was fishing with a net near 
Beaulieu River, about four miles from Calshot Castle. At this place the tide falls very 
rapidly, and leaves the sands dry for miles out. After the tide fell, in a pit in the 
sand a commotion was observed amongst some sea-weed, and, going to see the cause, 
this fish was found. It is, I think, a fine specimen, measuring from head to ex- 
tremity of tail 203 inches. It answers exactly the description in Jenyns’ Man. Brit. 
Vert. Animals, p. 490. It was sent to Mr. Hart, of Christchurch, who has preserved 
it very nicely; and will be deposited in our Museum.— William Penney ; Poole, 
November, 1859. 


Occurrence of a reversed Specimen of Helix aspersa.—It may interest some of your 
readers to know that a specimen of this rarity was found by Mrs. H. Adams, in the 
garden of my residence at Notting Hill, in the early part of last year. — H. Adams ; 
19, Hanover Villas, Notting Hill. 


Arachnida. 6893 


A List of Southport Spiders; with some Remarks on Uniformity 
of Use and Meaning of Words in Natural, History. By The 
Rey. O. Pickarp-CAMBRIDGE, B.A. 


In addition to the supplement of my last year’s list, I subjoin a list 
of spiders, observed and captured during the past season at Southport 
and inits neighbourhood. Local lists, besides having a local interest, 
are certain steps towards a more correct generalization, in regard to 
the distribution of species. In this list it will be seen that out of the 
two tribes of the order Araneidea known to inhabit Great Britain, but 
one is represented ; of the families making up this tribe, nine out of 
ten are represented (the tenth, however, contains but one British 
genus and one British species); and out of twenty-eight genera com- 
posing the families eighteen are represented; and lastly, out of 
two hundred and seventy species contained in the twenty-eight 
genera eighty are represented. 

I do not pretend to say that this is a perfect list, for on one side of 
Southport lies a vast tract of fen or moss land, which I have hardly 
ever had time to search at all; but the ground I have searched, prin- 
cipally the sand-hills along the coast, has been ransacked pretty 
thoroughly ; and, therefore, as the area is so much the more confused, 
the list is perhaps of so much the greater value. The relative 
abundance of species in any locality is also, I think, of importance, 
but the words we commonly use to denote their abundance or 
the contrary are generally so vague, and used or understood by 
different naturalists in so different a sense, that I will just in a 
few words try to explain the value of the general terms “ rare,” 
“common,” &c., appended to the names in the list, as I use and 
understand them. 

The term very common is used to denote that the species may be 
taken, in its season, in the locality in question, as we should say in 
popular language “in any numbers,” that is, that a hundred or 
so might be captured during an afternoon of four or five hours, 
and this without any special search for it. 

Common denotes that, in popular language, “a great many ” 
might be taken in the above time, that is to the number of, say, forty 
or fifty, and this with but slight search specially for it. 

Frequent denotes that a score or so might be taken, in the same 
time, with an ordinarily careful search for it. 


6894 Arachnida. 


Not rare denotes that a close search will generally procure what 
we call “a few,” that is, from five to ten or a dozen. 

Occasional denotes that during the time stated, and with careful 
search for it, two or three may be captured. 

Rare would show that a specimen only would be likely to be 
obtained, as we should say “ once now and then,” that is, about once 
out of several afternoons’ very careful search. 

Very rare would denote that one or two specimens in the run of 
a season, would be all that a careful search and open-eye for it would 
obtain. 

It will perhaps appear trivial to some to attempt to define these 
general expressions. It is, I admit, very difficult to do so, for we 
know that their force will vary according to the number of hours, or 
the state of weather, during which the search is carried on; and 
again, according to different persons’ powers of close search, that is, 
their power of concentrating the attention on one object, for this is 
really, I believe, the secret of obtaining so-called rarities. And 
again, the knowledge or ignorance of the habits of the species 
searched for, and in fact many other things, will come in to prevent 
perfect uniformity of meaning, whatever terms we may choose for the 
purpose of specifying relative abundance; yet the want of a little 
more accuracy and uniformity than now exists will always, it seems 
to me, take away more than half the real value of local lists of 
species. And in regard to other parts of Natural Science, the want of 
uniformity of use and meaning, has produced and still produces great 
confusion and hindrance; I allude to the sense attached by different 
naturalists to the words “ order,” “family,” “tribe,” “ genus,” 
“ subgenus,” &c. And how few systematic works on Natural History 
state the principles of their systems, the meanings of their classi- 
fication, the values of their divisions ; what one may call a “ tribe” 
another calls a “ family,” and so on. And even the careful reader is 
often compelled to stop in the study of his favourite branch of Natural 
History, perplexed by a perfect labyrinth of classification, and with- 
out any clew as to whether his author looked on the names of 
the divisions of his system merely as bare landmarks to direct the 
traveller into unknown regions, or as terms to point out real divisions 
written and existing in Nature herself, and so only to be set up where 
the divisions exist in Nature, without regard to the mere convenience 
of students and collectors. So that I repeat the want of attention to 
an uniformity of use and meaning of words does seriously retard the 


Arachnida. 6895 


science of Natural History, with reference to its injury to the science 
of classification. I have perhaps strayed from my immediate 
object in mentioning it now, though I hope some day to recur to 
it again. To return to our present subject, I by no means stickle for 
the use of the words “ common,” “ rare,” &c., in the senses in which 
I have now used them; I only throw out these as hints, and should 
like to see such practical entomologists as my friends Frederick Bond, 
H. Harpur Crewe and Edwin Shepherd, &c., putting forward in your 
pages the senses in which they use and understand these or equivalent 
words. Local lists, even with all this, and much more care, 
will yet be imperfect, but without it they will be both practically and 
theoretically valueless towards the great object of such lists, the con- 
structing a scientific system of distribution and relative abundance o 

species. | 


Tribe OcTonocuLina.—Family Lycosip&. 


Lycosa Agretyca. Frequent. Among grass and herbage on banks 
and sides of ditches, &c. 
L. campestris. Not rare. In same places as L. Agretyca. 
L. andrenivora. Very rare. On the open sand hills. 
*L, nivalis. Common. Running on the sand hills in sunshine. 
rapax. Frequent. In company with L. Agretyca. 
picta. Notrare. On the open sand hills. 
. Saccata. Frequent. On moss land, &c., among grass. 
. obscura. Occasional. In company with L. saccata. 
.exigua. Very common. Almost everywhere. 
L. cambrica. Not rare, but very local, among grass in the 
“ stacks.” . 
L. piratica. Frequent, but local, in same localities as L. cambrica. 


Pre ee 


Family SaLTIcIDz. 


Salticus scenicus. Not rare. On walls, posts, palings, and occa- 
sionally under ledges on the sand hills. 
S. sparsus. Rare. On trees, among grass stems and on walls. 
*S. floricola. Very rare. At the roots of grass, &c., on the “ north 
sand hills.” 
S. frontalis. Frequent. At roots of grass and rubbish, on bank- 


| sides, &c. 


S. cupreus. Very rare. In company with S. frontalis. 


6896 Arachnida. 


Family THOMISID&. 


Thomisus cristatus. Occasional. On the bare ground and at grass- 
roots. - 

T. audax. Very rare. On the bare ground and at grass-roots. 

Philodromus cespiticola. Frequent. On dwarf willows on the 
sand hills. 

P. oblongus. Common. At the roots and on the stems of the 
“* star-grass.” 


Family DRassIp&. 


*Drassus pumilus. Rare. On the bare sand hills, and at roots of 
grass and moss. 
*D. clavator. Very rare. Under ledges of sand hills, at roots 
of grass and under stones. 
D. cupreus. Frequent. Under ledges of sand hills, at roots 
of grass and under stones. 
D. nitens. Not rare. Among rubbish on dry bank sides ; and in 
spring, the adult males running on paths and roads. 
Clubiona holosericea. Occasional. In angles of summer-houses 
and in curled leaves. 
C. amarantha. Frequent. At roots of star-grass and in curled 
leaves. 
C. epimelas. Rare. In curled leaves and in holes in posts, &c. 
Argyroneta aquatica. Occasional. In moss-dykes, among water- 
weed, &c. 


Family CINIFLONIDA. 


Ciniflo atrox. Not rare. Under ledges of sand hills, overgrown 
with dwarf willow. 

C. similis. Not rare. In outhouses and unused rooms, &c. 

Ergatis benigna. Very rare. Running on paths in spring. 

E. latens. Rare. Running on paths in spring. 


Family AGELENID2. 


Agelena labyrinthica. Very common. All over the willow-clad 
sand hills. uj 

A. brunnea. Notrare. At roots of star-grass and weeds, &c. 

Tegenaria civilis.. Frequent. In outhouses and old unused 
buildings. 


Arachnida. 6897 


Family THERIDIIDA. 


Theridion lineatum. Common. Almost everywhere. 

T. quadripunctatum. Rare. In summer-houses and unused rooms. 

T. nervosum. Not rare. On bushes, &c., in its web. 

T. pictum. Not rare. On hollies and in greenhouses. 

T. varians. Frequent. In company with the two last. 

T. carolinum. Common, though local. Among dwarf willow and 
herbage on the sand hills. 

T. pallens. Rare. On Scotch firs. 

T. variegatum. Occasional. Among grass and weeds on dry banks. 

T. filipes. Rare. Beneath sea-weed on the shore. 


Family LinyPHip2. 

Linyphia montana. Frequent. On Scotch firs, &c. 

. marginata. Frequent. In hedges and in angles of outhouses. 

. pratensis. Frequent. On low plants, &c., in woods. 

. fuliginea. Rare. Among star-grass, &c., on sand hills. 

minuta. Notrare. Ditto (and in porches and unused rooms). 

. alticeps. Frequent. . Ditto. 

. tenuis. Common. Ditto. 

. terricola. Common. Ditto. 

. anthracina. Rare. Ditto. 

pulla. Rare. Ditto. 

.ericea. Frequent. Ditto.- 

. tenella. Very rare. Ditto. The male adult new to Science. 
Neriene bicolor. Frequent. At roots of star-grass on sand hills. 
N. gracilis. Occasional. Running on walks, rails and pavements. 
N. cornuta. Occasional. Among grass on sand hills. 

N. apicata. Very rare. Ditto. 
N. longipalpis. Common. Among grass, under sea-weed and on 
pavements. 
N. fusca. Rare. Under sea-weed in autumn. 
N. agrestis. Rare. Ditto. 
N. vigilax. Very rare. Among grass on sand hills. 
N. trilineata. Common. Ditto. 
N, variegata. Frequent. Ditto. 
*Walckeniera Aggeris. Common. Among rubbish and grass on 
dry bank sides on “ north sand hills. 
*W. monoceros. Very rare. Among grass and moss on sand hills. 
*W. fastigata. Very rare. Ditto. 
XVIII. Pp 


PREP PP eee eee 


6898 Insects. 


Pachygnatha Clerckii. Frequent. Under wall, Formby Parsonage. 
P. Degeerii. Frequent. Among grass and moss on sand hills, 
and adult males running on roads in spring. 


Family EpErrip&. 


Epéira quadrata. Frequent. On bushes, &c. 
K. apoclisa. Common. On plants, &c., at edges of dykes especially. 
. solers. Very rare. Among dwarf willows on sand hills. 
. similis. Common. In balconies, windows and greenhouses. 
. calophylla. Occasional. On bushes and dwarf willows. 
. cucurbitina. Rare. Ditto. 
.inclinata. Very common. Everywhere. 
.diadema. Very common. Ditto. 
Tetragnatha extensa. Frequent. Among herbage and low plants 
in damp places and over water. 


FRR Ree 


PS.—Those spiders, the names of which are marked with an 
asterisk, are either new to Science or to Britain. (See “Supplement 
to a Note on Arachnida of Dorset, &c.,” Zool. 6700:) 6642 

O. P.-CAMBRIDGE. 


Southport, Lancashire, 
January 17, 1860. 


On the Functions of the Antenne of Insects—Every entomologist must be familiar 
with the fact that when a moth singes its antenne in the flame it is more or less 
incapable of directing its flight, and usually spins in circles on the surface with which 
it may come in contact, with its head downwards. For a long while I supposed that 
this was a mere expression of pain, until I experimented in various ways with this 
instrument for the purpose of ascertaining its function. - My first experiments con- 
sisted in the excision of the antenne, immediately above the bulbs, in the male 
Saturnia Cecropia, as soon as it had escaped from the cocoon, and before expansion 
of the wings had begun. The circulating fluids exuded, and soon formed over the 
cut surface a clot, by which it was permanently closed. There was no escape of air 
from the severed tracheal trunk, nor any indications of respiratory effort on the 
part of the imago, neither was the globule of fluid taken up through the tracheal 
trunk. The mutilation gives rise to very little expression of pain after the 
first shock of the operation, and the imago fixes itself as usual to expand its 
wings, expansion taking place as completely as in the unmutilated specimen. 
On the approach of night the mutilated male makes no voluntary effort to use 
its wings. He is gentle and docile, and permits himself to be handled without 
betraying a desire to escape or any sense of danger. If at this time one endeavours 
to compel him to fly, he agitates his wings with a trembling motion ; and if thrown 
into the air, uses them so ineffectually as not to break the force of his fall, or so as to 
precipitate him head foremost to the earth, with a shock that appears to benumb him. 
By persistence he is at last, perhaps, driven to use the organs of flight; but whilst 


Insects. 6899 


employing them with vigour his position is reversed in mid-air, and he descends to the 
earth, vainly endeavouring to change it or arrest his fall; or he dashes himself with 
violence against some obstacle, thus bringing his flight to a sudden conclusion. The 
power to hover has been completely lost. After a few efforts of this kind it becomes 
almost impossible to compel a mutilated specimen to attempt flight. It will remain 
fixed in one place for two or three days, and at the end of that time may make 
a voluntary effort to use its wings. The irregularity, not to say the madness of its 
flight, is no less observable than in the beginning. Under these circumstances one of 
my specimens escaped into the open air from my study in day-light. After extricating 
himself from amongst the branches of a tree standing near the door, he arose into the 
air in a spiral track, around which he ascended until attaining a height at which he 
was almost lust to sight. Here he maintained himself by sailing on his wings, until 
T lost sight of him by intervening houses. But though I placed myself quickly in a 
Position to see him again, he was nowhere visible, and must have descended suddenly 
from mid-air. The males of the same species, taken by what is called pairing, in full 
possession of all their powers and instincts, and animated especially by the sexual 
instinct, are strongly attracted by light. If the light in a room be so guarded that the. 
specimen cannot injure itself, and a perfect male be held by the thumb and fingers 
beneath the wings and thrown with force in a direct line from the light, the individual, 
by the use of the wings, will arrest himself as the force of the impulsion diminishes, 
and, reversing his position in the air, will return to the light in a direct line. This 
may be repeated any number of times, and will be followed invariably by the same 
result. Let the antenne of the specimen then be excised in successive portions. The 
excision of the upper third doves not diminish the power to arrest itself and to return 
again in a direct line; but, beyond this point, flight begins to be impaired without 
effecting in any manner the desire to return, until at last we reach a point where it 
becomes evident that the voluntary direction of flight is no longer under the volition 
of the insect, or that some co-ordinating influence is wanting, having special relation 
to the direction of flight, or the uses of the muscies of the alary organs. Instead of 
being capable of arresting itself and returning in a direct path, the insect now darts 
from the point of arrest to the right or left, to the ceiling or the floor; and this uncer- 
tainty of direction and inability to arrest the force of impulsion continues to increase 
until we reach the neighbourhood of the bulb, when the voluntary employment of the 
wings almost ceases. All these results are obtained simply by the excision of the 
pectinations of the antenne, leaving the antennal stalks uninjured. The desire 
to fly is not affected in the first place, and it is only after the individual ascertains 
the uncertain nature of his efforts that he fixes himself in a state of rest. The 
structure of the organs, together with these experiments, entirely justify the inference 
that the antennz, instead of being organs of any special sense, as they are usually 
regarded, are, in Lepidoptera, instruments of atmospheric palpation, having especial 
reference to the action and use of the wings in flight. This conciusion has been 
reached contrary to my own preconceived ideas of the functions of those instruments ; 
and I believe the view here taken is entirely new. Should the experiments be 
repeated by any observer, he should be careful to select for experimental study those 
lepidupterous insects that are unprovided with simple eyes or ocelli on the vertex at 
the base of the antenne. In those species with ocelli on the vertex flight is deranged 
scarcely at all, as compared with the effect of antennal excision on individuals unpro- 
vided with these organs. — Dr. Clemens, in the ‘ Journal of the Academy of Natural 
Sciences, Philadelphia. 


6900 Insects. 


Argynnis Lathonia.—I see that the question of the indigenous character of this 
insect is still doubted by the members of the Entomological Society and others. 
I may state, upon the authority of Dr. Maclean, who is one of the best observers with 
whom I am acquainted, that he is in possession of evidence which clearly and beyond 
all doubt proves that this insect not only is taken but breeds in this neighbourhood. 
He has taken the insect both in spring and autumn, and one female which contained 
fully developed eggs. The insect has been taken in this neighbourhood by at least 
three, if not four, different people—C. R. Bree. 

Vanessa Antiopa in Wakehurst Wood.—A beautiful day was the 6th of April, 1859 ; 
the sun shone most brilliant, and as hot as in July. I was walking through Wakehurst 
Park, Sussex. All at once I saw something flying which appeared unusual ; it was 
about twenty yards frorn where I stood, but the leafless branches of an oak were 
between me and the object, so that I could not distinctly see what it was. I thought 
it settled a little beyond the oak, and immediately went towards it. At this spot the 
underwood was cut, but the heath, intermixed with the dead fronds of the brake, was 
as high as my knees. Amongst this I was cautiously stepping, when, to my great 
surprise, a most beautiful large Vanesssa Antiopa came flying slowly towards me, 
and passed within a few feet; so close was it that I could see the angles of the beau- 
tiful broad white border and of the wings. To capture it I had no means; even if I 
had it would have been difficult, on account of the unevenness of the ground and the 
height of the heath. With the sun shining it looked as bright as if it was just 
from the pupa; but I suppose it had hybernated— Edward Jenner. 

Early Appearance of Dasychira pudibunda.—On the 3rd of this month a fine spe- 
cimen of this moth emerged from the chrysalis. For a short time it was very active, 
but it has been ever since quiescent, perhaps torpid. The caterpillar spun its cocoon 
on the 29th of last September, and the chrysalis was kept in a room the temperature 
of which, in winter, never varies more than a few degrees from 62° day or night. I 
suppose itis this comparatively high temperature which caused the fly to appear at 
this unusual time of the year.— Thomas Clark ; Halesleigh, January 17, 1860. 

Description of the Larva and Pupa of Endromis versicolor. — In April the female 
lays her eggs on the slender twigs of the birch tree, and the caterpillars come out 
about the Ist of May. At first tbey are gregarious, spinning a web over the twig and 
attaching themselves by their claspers, and holding their heads straight up in the air; 
when just hatched they are smoke-coloured, with a darker line down the back, and a 
dark oblique mark on each segment: there are pimples or warts all over the body, 
each emitting five or six black hairs; the lip in front of the head is yellow, and there 
are two yellow crescent-shaped marks immediately behind the head : the legs are red- 
dish yellow. After changing its skin the first time, and eating its cast-off coat, an 
operation which it invariably performs, the caterpillar becomes of a dull pale green 
colour, covered with minute black points, and having a conspicuous narrow dark line 
down the middle of its back ; on each side is a series of paler green diagonal lines ; 
the head is yellowish, with two pairs of longitudinal blackish stripes, and a black spot 
between them; the claspers are yellow. After the second change, the caterpillar 
becomes a bright apple-green colour, still powdered with innumerable minute black 
points on the sides and claspers: the back is whiter green, with a narrow dark line 
down the very middle ; there is a pale oblique stripe on each segment, bordered with 
darker green ; the second, third and fourth segments have a whitish line on each side; 


the head has two blackish longitudinal lines on each side. The third change produces, 


Insects. 6901 


little difference in colour. When full-grown, and after it has changed its skin four 
times, the caterpillar is 1} inch long and very stout, its colour green, paler and whiter 
on the back, darker and richer on the sides and belly, where it is also thickly sprinkled 
with minute circular black dots: the spiracles are white, with a black edge ; the head 
pale green, with four white longitudinal stripes, the outer ones broadest; a narrow 
dark green line runs down the very centre of the back: on each side of each segment 
is an oblique white stripe, bordered on each side with darker green ; all these white 
stripes commence near the straight green line on the back, and each is continued 
faintly on the segment next to that which itadorns: on each side of each of the three 
segments nearest the head is another short raised white stripe: the twelfth segment 
has a hump on the back, ending in a short blunt white horn, which has a delicate 
black line behind ; from this horn descends a short white stripe, and below the spi-~ 
racle on the same segment is another white stripe bordered above with black. This 
caterpillar feeds only on the birch throughout May and June; it then descends the 
tree, and spivs. The cocoon, or rather web, in which the larva effects its change, is 
attached to fallen leaves or twigs on the surface of the earth: some of the larve make 
shallow furrows in the earth, covering themselves above with a leaf; the web is made 
of brown silk, and is constructed like open net-work, so that water can freely pass in 
and out. The pupa is black-brown, and, immediately after changing, appears to be 
covered with a slight bloom, like that of a ripe plum; this appearance, however, gra- 
dually subsides, and in a few days has entirely vanished: the pupa is scabrous, the 
scabrosily consisting of numerous small and nearly confluent warts or pustules ; on 
the case covering the antenne these warts are arranged in regular series, and have a 
remarkable and very pretty appearance; on the hinder segments of the pupa these 
warts are changed into blunt spines or teeth: the caudal horn of the larva is still pre- 
served in the pupa, is incurved, and beset with spiny warts which point outwards, the 
incurved apex being furnished with about twenty red-brown bristles.—H#. Newman. 
Notes on the Economy of Lepidoptera. —1. Phtheocrva rugosana. May 25. Bred 
this insect from a very tough cocoon, fastened to the inside of my breeding-cage, by 
what larva I do not know. June 29. Took P. ruyosana, beaten out of yew hanging 
over breeding-cage in which first specimen occurred. Query, did it come out of yew, 
and retire into breeding-cage, as it might have done through the chinks, to form 
pupa? Doubtless, as I find from Wilkinson, it feeds on Bryonia dioica, a plant 
of which grew under the yew tree last season and climbed among the boughs. 
2. Diloba ceruleocephala. June 19. A larva has just made a papery cocoon in 
corner of cage, having helped himself to two F. nitidella cases, insects and all, where- 
with to make it. Whether he ate the inmates I cannot say, but they never appeared 
in the perfect state. 3. Coleophora vibicella. July 5. At French Wood took a 
number of cases in pupa state, from some of which the moths were just emerging. 
I found the insect entirely confined to a warm south bank on the edge of the 
wood, where the fuod-plaut grew stunted. I never saw it in the wood, though the 
plant was abundant, but of ranker growth. 4. Hyponomeuta evonymellus, H. ma- 
liyorella and H. padellus. June 11. T have lately examined the respective larve of 
H.evonymellus and the supposed H. malivorella, or H. malellus (Stainton’s ‘ Tineina,’ 
p- 60). It is impossible to distinguish them by their markings, though one might 
fancy the latter rather yellower. I shut up some of H.evonymellus? (the spindle- 
feeder) for three days with apple leaves, from the same tree on which H. malellus was 
feeding ; but they did not touch them. They both go into pupa about the same time. 


6902 . Insects. 


July 6. Bred H. padellus from hawthorn ; very common, and both larva and imago 
decidedly distinct from H. malellus, both being much darker. 5. Stauropus Fagi. 
August 8. My S. Fagi larva is now nearly full-fed. His attitude, when disturbed 
(one rarely sees him feeding at ease), is with head and tail meeting over back, and his 
long legs extended, sometimes with a vibratory motion, in front. The creature seems 
peculiarly unfitted to walk on a flat surface ; it therefore attaches itself by its prolegs 
to a twig at the bottom of a leaf; then, holding the edge of the leaf at right angles to 
its mandibles by its long front legs, and beginning at the bottom, it eats its way 
towards the top, leaving the central rib of the leaf for a support as it advances up- 
wards, till the whole side of the leaf is eaten. 6. Stenopteryx hybridalis. Sept. 15. 
Another S. hybridalis in hop-yard. The slow, weak flight of this insect, at this time 
of year, is very remarkable, as compared with the rapid, darting motions it makes in 
hot sunshine in the summer. The only other specimen I ever took in this neighbour- 
hood was on the 20th of October, 1854. I have never seen it in the summer here, 
though it is so common in burnt-up ground on the coast. The habits of the two 
broods, according to my experience, are so unlike that I should be glad to hear more 
about the insect.—E. Horton ; Wick, Worcester, January 23, 1860. 

Companion Larve.—Some insects are never found per se; they are always in com- 
pany with others; as, for instance, the ants’-nest beetles and the mysterious inhabitants 
of the wasp’s nest. Many might have imagined that the character of “ lick-spittle” 
was confined to the human race; but no, in this we have our corresponding types, 
clearly manifesting that we and other creatures of a far lower grade are (according to 
Darwin) descended from a common ancestor. It is well known that some of the 
*“‘knot-horn” larve, such as Acrobasis consociella, A. tumidella, &c., make large 
habitations of a handful of oak-leaves, in which a whole brood live sociably together ; 
it now appears that these insects keep companions, a Gelechia being attendant upon 
each gregarious “knot-horn;” thus, Myelois suavella is accompanied by Gelechia 
vepretella (Zel. MS.), Acrobasis consociella by a yet undetermined species of Gelechia, 
and a still unascertained larva of one of the Phycide, which abounds on hawthorn 
near Vienna has Gelechia spurcella for its hand-maid. Do these Geélechia larve feed 
ou the “ frass” of the Phycide?—H. T Stainton; Feb. 6.— Intelligencer, 

On the Double-brood Question, as it affects Fidonia conspicuata.— My friend 
Mr. Greene appeals to me on this question, and I have much pleasure in stating that 
I do not think any subject in Natural History is better known than the economy of 
Fidonia conspicuata. There are two broods,—the first in May and the second in 
August,—and in the proper locality the insect may be taken in abundance at these 
seasons of the year. After the May brood disappears the larve may be collected in 
any quantity; they feed up and are in the pupa state by the beginning of July; from 
this state they emerge towards the end of July, and continue on the wing most of 
August. The larve feed up and go in the pupa state into winter quarters by the 
beginning of October, and re-appear the following May. I do not think any proper 
inference can be drawn from what takes place in the transformation of insects in the 
house; their changes are adapted for out of doors. I bave at the present moment 
some of the beautiful hybernating larve of Limenitis Sybilla swinging in their snugly 
formed hammocks from the branches of the honeysuckle, as they were shown to me 
by Dr. Maclean, of this place. Now these little fellows, perhaps only a week old, will 
bear any amount of cold, but they die if confined in the coldest room of the house; so 
it is with the frequently observed and written-about changes of various insects. 


Insects. 6903 


Surely if insects are regularly taken in numbers at two distinct periods of the year the 
evidence is sufficient that they are double-brooded. The case of Gonepteryx Rhamni, 
in which the perfect insect may be taken in every month of the year, is one which 
fairly admits of argument, because Dr. Maclean and others who have closely watched 
the economy of the insect, say they are quite sure there is only one brood of larve in 
the year; but where the larve and the imagos are found twice there is, in my opinion, 
no room for doubt.—C. R. Bree. 

Some Notes on Fidonia conspicuata.—I hasten to comply with the request of my 
friend Mr. Greene, that I should tell the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ all I know con- 
cerning the habits and transformations of Fidonia conspicuata, W. V. During two 
years residence at Stowmarket, in the neighbourhood of which town this insect occurs 
in some plenty, I had an opportunity of becoming tolerably well acquainted with its 
economy. Upon referring to my note-book I find the results of my observations to 
have been as follows :— 


1857. May 11. Fidonia conspicuata flying sparingly. 

May 19—27. Plentiful. 

June 8. Not a moth to be seen. 

Eggs laid May 22 hatch in about ten days, and are full fed and spin up the end 
of June. 

July 19—26. Perfect insects keep appearing in my breeding-cage, and are flying 
in great plenty in the broom-field. 
August 14. Beat a number of full-fed larve in the broom-field. 


1858. May 4, 10 and 19. Fidonia conspicuata flying sparingly. 

May 26—28. Abundant. 

June 8. Have a number of young larve just hatched from eggs laid the end of 
May. Upon visiting the broom-field, a few days afterwards, beat a number of very 
small larve. At the end of the month find them all full fed. 

July 15, 17. Perfect insect flying in numbers. 

Middle to end of August. Find plenty of full-fed larve. 


Mr. C. R. Bree, who lived for a number of years at Stowmarket, can testify that these 
results occur as regularly as clock-work every year, the time of appearance being 
slightly accelerated or retarded by the warmth or coldness of the season. The July 
flight is, as Mr. Bree most correctly states, much more plentiful than the one in 
May, and, as a general rule, the insects are smaller in size. As I could so readily 
take the perfect insect I never took much pains to breed it in confinement. In 1857 
a few of the summer batch of pupe did not emerge in July, but remained over till the 
following spring, but that, in my opinion, in no way militates against the fact of the 
insect being double-brooded. I am not going again to break a lance with my friend 
Mr. Greene on the field of double-broodedness. I have already argued the point at 
some length, both in the ‘ Zoologist’ and ‘ Naturalist,’ and the indefatigable exertions 
and perspicuous revelations of Mr. Gascoyne have unalterably fixed an opinion 
previously formed. I only wish to remark that I never asserted or contended that the 
whole of the summer brood of larve produced moths the same year (though Mr. Gas- 
coyne’s experiments show that this is frequently the case, and his experiments were 
_ made with larve kept out of doors and on growing plants). All I formerly contended 


6904 Insects. 


for, and what I contend for now, that if any part of the summer brood of Jarve pro- 
duce perfect insects the same year, which pair lay eggs and produce full-grown larve 
and pupz in the autumn, then the insect to which these results occur is double- 
brooded. For instance, F. conspicuata appears for the first time at the beginning of 
May; it lays eggs, and its progeny are full fed and spun up at the end of June. 
From these pupe a number of moths emerge, pair and lay eggs from the middle to 
the end of July, and the larve are full fed the middle or end of August. Ergo, 
F. conspicuata is double-brooded. Mr. Greene contends that unless the whole of the 
summer brood emerge the same year the insect is not double-brouded; but this appears 
to me to be splitting a hair. Every one knows that in the case of acknowledged single- 
brooded insects,—e. g., Smerinthus ocellatus and S. Populi, Sphinx Ligustri, Cerura 
vinula, C. bifida and C. furcula, Bombyx Quercus, Saturnia Carpini, Acronycta 
megacephala, Dianthecia carpophaga, &c.,—several pupe out of a brood will very 
frequently remain two years before emerging, yet no one would, on this ground, dream 
of contending that these insects were not annual-brooded. Whether an insect be single 
or double-brooded the appearance of all or part of those broods is a point upon which, 
I believe, no certain rule can be laid down. These matters are all directed by the 
masterly hand of an All-wise Providence, who so orders them that no vicissitudes of 
climate, temperature or weather has any serious effect upon the existence and con- 
tinuance of a species.—H. Harpur Crewe; Ivy Cottage, Wickham Market, Suffolk, 
February 3, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia castigata.—Long, slender and tapering. 
Ground-colour pale or dusky olive or reddish brown, with a chain of dusky lozenge- 
shaped dorsal spots, becoming confluent on the anterior and posterior segments. 
Segmental divisions reddish. Body thickly studded with minute white tubercles, 
and clothed more sparingly with short bristly hairs. Belly with a central blackish or 
purplish line running from tip to tail. Feeds promiscuously upon almost every tree, 
shrub and flower, in August and September. In almost every particular closely 
resembles the larva of E. vulgata. Pupa enclosed in an earthen cocoon. Abdomen 
slender and tapering, reddish or greenish yellow. Thorax and wing-cases yellow; 
the latter more or less suffused with green.—ZId. ; January 31, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia minutata.—Short, thick and stumpy. 
Ground-colour dull pink or flesh tint, with a series of dusky Y-shaped dorsal spots 
connected by a central pink line, and becoming faint on the anterior, and almost 
obliterated on the posterior segments. Each dorsal segment studded with four yel- 
lowish tubercles. Spiracular line yellowish, interrupted at intervals by dusky blotches. 
Head dusky olive, marked with black. Belly dusky or pinkish white. Back thickly 
studded with small white, and a few black tubercles, and sprinkled here and there with 
short hairs. Feeds on the flowers of Calluna vulgaris in August and September, and 
is by no means uncommon where that plant occurs in any plenty. Pupa enclosed in 
an earthen cocoon. Short and thick. Thorax and wing-cases golden yellow; 
abdomen yellow, generally suffused with red. Wing-cases very transparent. Tip of 
abdomen blood-red.—Id. 

Clostera anachoreta in the “ Home Counties.’—“ Home counties” is the only 
locality I have ever publicly given for Clostera anachoreta, and the only one for which I 
will be responsible. The statement in the ‘ Annual’ that I took it in the “ neighbour- 
hood of London” was published without my knowledge or sanction.—H. G, Knaggs ; 
1, Maldon Place, Camden Town, N.W., January 20, 1860. 


Insects. 6905 


Food of the Larva of Depressaria ultimella, Staint.—The larva of this species 
appears to be unknown. I bred a specimen early in June from a larva found feeding 
on the flowers of Conium maculatum, near Freshwater, Isle of Wight, last May; the 
larve were gaily coloured, and, judging from descriptions, must resemble those of 
Depressaria nervosa. Mr. Bond, who was with me at the time, saw them, but con- 
sidered them to be those of D. heracliana. Perhaps this may serve as a hint to those 
who are looking for it, where to find it—H.S. Gorham; 10, Alfred Street, Montpelier 
Square, Brompton. 

Cryphalus Fagi, Fabr.—About Christmas, last year, I found several specimens of 
this species in the bark of a decaying beech near Westerham. With the exception of 
the specimen exhibited by Mr. Janson at the February meeting of the Entomological 
Society, I believe it has not been met with previously in Britain. —Id. 

Capture of Diachromus germanus at Hastings.—A specimen of this insect was 
taken on the 25th of September, 1859, by Henry Case, Esq., in the neighbourhood of 
Hastings, and, through the kindness of Mr. Case, the specimen is now in my posses- 
sion. I have little doubt that additional specimens may be secured in the ensuing 
season, if powerful efforts are made.—Henry Adams. 


Facts connected with the History of a Wasp’s Nest ; with Observa- 
tions upon the Parasite, Ripiphorus paradoxus. By S. Stone, 
Hsq., F.S.A., &c. * 


OBSERVING a number of wasps entering an aperture in the ground, 
at Cokethorp Park, on the 25th of July, I revisited the spot in the 
evening, with the view of obtaining the nest. Accordingly, having 
taken the precaution to render the inmates insensible, by pouring a 
wine-glass full of spirits of turpentine into the aperture, which was 
then closely stopped up with clay for a short time, I proceeded to dig 
it out. In doing this, so hard and dry had the ground become that I 
broke the covering to pieces, displacing and scattering the combs. 
Finding that I had utterly ruined the nest as a specimen, I determined, 
at any rate, on securing the combs; I therefore began to collect 
them, and, placing them singly on the floor of the vehicle in which I 
had driven to the spot, brought them away, unaccompanied by a 
single wasp, the whole number, including of course the foundress of 
the colony, being left behind. The nest was one belonging to Vespa 
vulgaris, and being composed of decayed wood its destruction was 
the more complete, for so fragile are nests of this species that even a 
touch of the finger, unless extraordinarily light, is fatal to their 
beauty. 


* Read before the Entomological Society of London, November 7, 1859. 


XVIII. Q 


6906 Insects. 


On reaching home I passed a wire through the centre of each 
comb, just as people are in the habit of filing bills, placing between 
the several tiers, by way of supporting columns, small fragments of 
Celtic pottery I had obtained in prosecnting some archeological 
researches in the neighbourhood, and which happened to be the most 
convenient material for the purpose I could at the moment lay my 
hands upon. Having so done, I suspended this archeo-entomological 
specimen near the window of a room in which I had established 
a working community of the same species of wasp, procured on the 
24th of June, when a body of workers at once passed over, and the 
next morning were found to be busily engaged in feeding the larve 
the combs contained, and in the construction of a fresh covering. In 
the conrse of a week the combs were completely enclosed. In a few 
days after this Mr. Douglas’s note on parasitic beetles appeared in 
the columns of the ‘ Intelligencer ;’ and on the 10th of August I for- 
warded to that gentleman, for identification, a specimen of Ripiphorus 
paradoxus I had obtained in the immediate vicinity of the nest above- 
mentioned, and in which it had doubtless been bred. 

On the morning of the 15th of August I was watching the progress 
of the work, and, in order to be enabled to do so the more narrowly, 
was holding the nest in my hand by the wire which supported it, 
when a second specimen bolted out, followed immediately afterwards 
by another. As Mr. Douglas had stated that it was desirable some 
observations should be made upon the habits of these parasites, if an 
opportunity of doing so presented itself, I thought now was the time; 
so I contrived to rid the nest, there and then, of the more active 
wasps it contained; and, taking it into an adjoining room, proceeded 
to denude it, with the aid of a pair of scissors, of its recently-formed 
covering. While preparing to perform this operation, as well as while 
it was being performed and for some time afterwards, the parasites 
continued to emerge at short intervals; so that between the hours 
of 10 a.m. and 2 P.M. twenty-eight specimens had made their 
appearance. 

This nest, be it observed, had been removed from its original situa- 
tion exactly three weeks; consequently all the eggs (I am speaking 
of those of wasps) deposited prior to that event must have produced 
larvee, the larvae must have all become full-grown and spun up, while 
such as had made any progress in their growth at the time the nest 
was removed must have undergone their final change into perfect 
wasps. Great was my astonishment, then, on removing the covering, 
to find the cells containing not only larve in every stage of their 


Insects. 6907 


growth, but eggs also in vast profusion. All the larve that had 
attained anything like their full size, or even half their full size, were 
found to occupy each a separate cell, as is observed to be invariably 
the case in all well-ordered nests, the parent wasp depositing only a 
single egg in each cell; but in the present instance, where the larve 
were minute in size, groups of three, and even four, apparently 
varying slightly in age, were located in one cell. Some of the cells 
contained an egg and one or two small larve; and some, two or 
three eggs, a single egg in a cell being of rare occurrence. Many of 
the cells had been almost demolished since the nest had been 
removed from under ground, the walls having been gnawed away 
nearly down to their base ; yet they contained eggs or small larve. 
That the larve were those of wasps (I had a faint hope they might 
have turned out to be those of Ripiphorus) the testimony of Mr. Douglas, 
to whom some were sent for examination, proves beyond a doubt. It 
may be well to remark that no additional cells had been formed in 
any of the combs since their first removal. 

Neither among the wasps driven out of the nest before the covering 
was removed, nor among those found to be congregated between the 
combs after it had been removed, was one single individual observed 
larger than a full-sized, plump worker; nor, indeed, was it to be 
expected, for it was at far too early a period in the season for the 
young females, which are destined to become the foundresses of colo- 
nies in the ensuing year, to have made their appearance ; nor could 
the presence of a single male be detected ; and as the cells contained, 
as before stated, larve in every stage of their growth, as well as 
nymphe in every stage of their advancement toward the perfect 
state, it is obvious that since the removal of the nest from its under- 
ground situation the process of egg-depositing must have been going 
on from the first, at which period it is certain none but workers could 
have been produced in any nest of this species. It must, therefore, 
have been by one or more individuals of this class that these fertile 
eggs were produced ! 

I may be allowed to cite two or three additional instances bearing 
upon this subject. 

In a paper upon wasps, by Dr. Ormerod, of Brighton (Zool. 6641), 
mention is made of a nest of Vespa britannica (norvegica, Smith) 
having undergone three removes. On its first removal the stragglers, 
four in number, among which, the writer remarks, “no wasp dis- 
tinguishable by her larger size could be seen,” set about the con- 
struction of a fresh nest, which in the course of ten days was found to 


6908 Insects. 


contain a small comb, consisting of eight cells, “ with distinct eggs in 
them.” These eggs, it appears, came to nothing when the nest was 
sent to the writer, at Brighton,—a circumstance doubtless arising 
from some cause connected with its removal. On the original nest 
being removed a second time, it is stated that the stragglers, which 
were more numerous than on the former occasion, built another. This 
in the course of two or three weeks was found to contain “ two tiers of 
cells, the upper one full of grubs.” 

On the 12th of last July I dug out a nest of Vespa rufa. It was 
situated in the deserted burrow of a mole. The parent wasp and a 
few of the workers were brought away with it, while the rest, about 
thirty in number, were left behind. These were soon observed to be 
busily engaged in constructing a fresh nest in the same burrow, and 
close to the spot from which the former one had been removed. On 
the 26th I took possession of this nest, which measured about 14 inch 
in diameter, and contained a small comb of an irregular shape, the 
cells in which numbered thirty-two, some containing eggs, and some 
small larve. The covering of the nest was at least four times the 
thickness one of the same size, constructed by a single female, would 
have been. None but wasps of the ordinary size, or those commonly 
known as workers, were found to be connected with it. 

Now, although these facts may not amount to absolute proof, do 
they not point to the probability that, in colonies of wasps, the 
workers, or imperfectly-developed females, may become so far deve- 
loped as to have the power of producing fertile eggs, and that with- 
out previous connexion with the male sex? This further development, 
however, does not ordinarily take place, occurring only when some 
extraordinary circumstance has arisen which renders it necessary or 
desirable. 

I must now return to the parasites, which, as already stated, con- 
tinued to emerge from the cells after the covering of the nest had 
been removed. 

The lower comb contained twelve covered cells, and to these 
my attention was principally directed, in consequence of the cap or 
covering of each appearing to me to be more pointed in form than 
those usually spun by the larve of wasps. Presently I observed 
a pair of jaws, from the inside of one, running rapidly round the 
crown, and cutting a circular piece not quite out, but sufficiently 
near to enable the insect, which proved to be a specimen of Ripi- 
phorus, to effect its escape by pushing up the piece it had cut, and 
leaving it like the lid of a vessel attached by a hinge, just as the 


: 


Insects. 6909 


great saw-fly operates upon the top of its cocoon. On a close 
inspection of the interior of the cell after the insect had quitted it, 
I could detect the presence of nothing to indicate that the parasite 
was not the original, or had not been the sole, tenant. This fact, 
coupled with the pointed form of the covering, led me to think it not 
improbable that an analogy might exist between the habits of this 
parasite and those of the cuckoo,—that as the egg of the latter is 
palmed off upon the unsophisticated, unsuspecting wagtail as one of 
her own, so might those of the former be palmed off upon the nursing 
wasps as genuine eggs of their own species; and that the larve might 
be nursed, tended, fed and brought to maturity by the attendant 
wasps, just as the dupe of a wagtail brings to maturity the young 
cuckoo. 

Unaware that this idea had been entertained by any one previously, 
I mentioned it in a note to Mr. Douglas, who informed me that 
Latreille had inferred as much from observations he had made. Had 
my attention been directed to the subject at the time I first obtained 
possession of this nest, I should doubtless have been enabled to prove 
the soundness or unsoundness of the above conjecture ; as it is, the 
question must remain an open one till another year, when I hope to 


_have an opportunity of deciding it. 


The parasites betake themselves to flight, leaving the nest in all 
haste the moment they have freed themselves from the cells, as 
though afraid to prolong their stay among those upon whom they 
have so long and so successfully imposed, now that they have thrown 
off the cheat and appeared in their true colours. How the parent 
insects contrive to enter the nest with impunity, and deposit their 
eggs without molestation (always provided they do enter it for that 
purpose), is a point upon which renewed observations, made at an 
earlier period in the season, may possibly throw some light. It may 
probably be found that they do not actually enter the nest, but con- 
tent themselves, like Sitaris, with depositing their eggs somewhere in 
the immediate vicinity, trusting, as Sitaris does, to the exertions of 
the larve to gain access to the cells in the best way they can; and 
when the latter have done this there are two courses open to them, 
one of which it is clear they must pursue: they can either select a 
cell containing an egg, which they can first coolly despatch for 
breakfast, as it appears the larve of Sitaris do, and then pass them- 
selves off as wasp-larve ; or they can look out for one containing a 
larva, into whose body they can enter, and upon which they can feed 


- till their change comes, as the Ichneumonide do upon the bodies of 


6910 Insects. 


lepidopterous larvee. Which of these two courses is pursued by them 
remains to be discovered. Their hours for emerging seem to be 
restricted to a certain portion of each day ; for during the time I was 
almost exclusively engaged in making observations upon them, a 
period extending over five days, none made their appearance before 
about ten o’clock in the morning, nor after about four in the after- 
noon; while between those hours a considerable number were pro- 
duced each day. 

The specimens, sixty in number, obtained on the first and following 
day, were placed with all possible care—as soon as they had left the 
nest, and with a sort of flying leap had alighted on the window—in a 
gauze bag, in which they were confined for a time. From the bag 
they were carefully removed, and placed in a bottle containing 
bruised laurel-leaves, and from the bottle transferred to a tin box, in 
which they were securely packed and sent to Mr. Douglas. They 
reached their destination in perfect safety; but, upon examination, 
nearly one-third of the whole number, and those, with two or three 
exceptions, females, were found to have a deficiency in the proper 
number of legs; and although diligent search for the missing articles 
was made, both in the window, the bag and the bottle, no trace of 
them could be discovered. If therefore they brought the full comple- 
ment of legs into the world with them, how is their disappearance 
to be accounted for? 

Neither on their first emerging, nor during the period of their con- 
finement in the bag, did the sexes take the least notice of each other, 
thus following the example of the inhabitants of the nest among whom 
they had been brought up. In the case of both these insects it seems 
absolutely necessary that the air of heaven should fan their love into 
a flame before it will burn, since, so far as I have been able to observe, 
copulation never takes place, either among wasps or their parasites, 
till they have taken their flight from the nest, never more to return to 
it. In this respect the habits of Ripiphorus contrast strongly with 
those of Sitaris; the cause of which becomes apparent on comparing 
the history of the two insects upon which they are parasitic, instinct 
teaching the latter-named parasites that they may safely deposit their 
eggs at once, and in the very spot in which they have themselves 
been reared; for that the bee of the following year will not fail to 
construct her cells upon the self-same spot,—a spot which has been 
the birth-place of the species for ages past, and which will in all pro- 
bability continue to be so for ages to come; while it points out to the 
former that they cannot deposit theirs, with any possible chance of 


Insects. 6911 


success, till the following summer, when the insect upon which they 
are parasitic has not only selected a place in which to build, but has 
made some progress in the work of building, it being most uncertain 
in what precise locality the wasp may construct its nest. It may be 
somewhere not very remote from the spot chosen by its predecessor ; 
but it will be by the merest accident if the nest is found to be placed 
so near the cavity in which that of the previous year was situated as 
to be accessible to larve produced from eggs deposited in that cavity. 
Whatever, therefore, the males of this parasite may do, the females 
must of necessity hybernate. 

I have already stated that my observations upon these parasites, at 
the time they were emerging, extended over a period of five days. 
During the latter part of that time the combs in which they had been 
bred were kept suspended under an aquarium-glass, food being placed 
near the combs that the attendant wasps, which were congregated 
between them, might be enabled to feed the larve the cells still con- 
tained,—a task they continued unremittingly to perform, without 
evincing any great desire to escape from their confinement. 

On concluding my observations upon the parasites the combs were 
returned to their place near the nest from which they had been 
removed, when numbers of workers belonging thereto were again 
observed to be employed in the fabrication of a fresh covering, to 
which daily additions were made for several weeks, the utmost activity 
prevailing during the time, and the nest becoming more and more 
populous. ‘Toward the end of September, however, the work became 
slack, the workers having fallen off very considerably in number. On 
again removing the covering, which was done early in October, a few 
eggs and a few spun-up larve or nymphe were the only objects the 
combs contained. Most of the cells had been cleared out, and their 
walls well nigh demolished, while no additional ones had been formed 
since the first removal of the nest, on the 25th of July. 

It may be worthy of remark that, from first to last, not a single male 
appeared to have been produced in this nest; at any rate I never 
observed one. 

S. STONE. 


On the Transverse Fission of Aiptasia Couchit.*—As I do not tind anything in the 
history of Aiptasia Couchii in your ‘ Actinologia Britannica’ concerning its system of 
increase, the facts I can communicate may be of interest. About the end of last 


* Extracted from a letter to P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.R.S, 


6912 Quadrupeds. 


March I was favoured with three specimens of this species. In August I was asto- 
nished to find a fourth, in a closed condition, too large to have been produced from 
ova or discharged as perfect young, or to have escaped my observation for any length 
of time. A few days after this I discovered a second grown specimen, in the process 
of division ; the skin of the lower portion of the column appeared ruptured, revealing 
a bundle of white threads quite tense. For the moment I felt alarmed for the welfare 
of my favourite; but the unaccounted-for presence of the fourth specimen led to the 
conclusion that the process of division was going on. A few hours after, the upper 
portion, with the disk, which during the whole process was expanded to the utmost, 
moved off, leaving the old base, with a portion of the column, to form a new animal. 
For some days the bottom of the column of the old specimen [the separated portion] 
looked like the broken stem of a plant with numerous ragged ends of white fibres 
hanging about; it however healed in time, returning to its former state. Immediately 
after the division the new animal, z.e. the [moiety which possessed the] old base, 
closed over perfectly the ruptured integument, and showed little signs of life for ten 
or twelve days; gradually, however, it formed a new disk and minute tentacles. Three 
weeks after, it had a well-formed disk and long tentacles. Within a few days of the 
same period the third specimen also went through the same process, but the ruptured 
integument of the old base [%. e. the new animal] never healed; it lived many days in 
a restless state, and then died. The three old specimens* recovered, and, together 
with the two young, which have grown, and show all the characteristics of the old 
ones, are in good condition at the present time. I was at the Zoological Society last 
autumn, and was there shown two small Aiptasie which the keeper informed me had 
been produced from ova. The transverse division of the whole column was so new a 
fact to me that I intended putting you in possession of the facts long ago, in case you 
might have thought them worthy of note in your valuable work now completed ; pro- 
bably, however, ere this you have been made acquainted. with similar facts, or 
they may have occurred under your immediate notice—F’. N. Broderick ; Ryde, Isle 
of Wight, January 2, 1860. 


The Stoat (Mustela erminea) in its Winter Garb at Selborne.—A kind neighbour 
of mine brought me, on the 27th of last month, a stoat which he had shot on Sel- 
borne Common, which had assumed almost completely the northern winter garb of 
the ermine, the only remains of the ordinary brown being partially on the head and on 
some portions*of the anterior part of the body ; the whole of the hinder part, including 
the tail, being as perfect ermine as any lady could desire for her muff or a peer for his 
Parliamentary robe. This is a rare, but not an unprecedented, occurrence in this 
latitude, as I find in my notes the following passage :—“ An intelligent labourer here 
has assured me that he has repeatedly killed the stoat in its pure white winter dress 
at Selborne. He bas also found it in the pied transition state.” — Thomas Bell ; 
January 7, 1860. 


* It must be borne in mind that my correspondent applies the term “ old” to 
those animals which retain the original disk, and “ young” to those which have formed 
a new disk.—P. H. G. 


Quadrupeds. 6913 


Distance Swum by Red Deer.—On the 27th of October last-a red-deer stag, of four - 
points, landed on the north side of the Island of Muck, one of the Inner Hebrides, 
belonging to H. Swinbourne, Esq., R.N. The shepherd’s family were startled by his 
belling. Unfortunately his dogs broke out, and chased the poor animal all night. In 
the morning he was found dead, though warm, his gallant heart being, as it was expressed, 
broken. He must indeed have been a noble animal to face the swim he so success- 
fully, though unfortunately, accomplished. The nearest places on which red deer are 
kept are—the Island Rum, belonging to the Marquis of Salisbury, about ten miles 
distant; and Arasaig, belonging to Mr. Astley, about twelve miles distant. There are 
also red deer in the Island of Mull, more than twelve miles distant ; but he could not 
have come from thence, as there was a strong wind right against him. From either 
Rum or Arasaig he might have shortened the distance by landing on the Island of 
Eigg ; but Muck is two miles from Eigg, and Eigg is six miles from Rum and eight 
from Arasaig, and from either he must at all times have had a strong side-tide against 
him. The distances are local estimates, the existing charts being considered incor- 
rect, and since hearing of the above I have had no opportunity of consulting them. 
I should be glad to learn well-authenticated instances of the distances stags have been 
known to swim. The late Colin Campbell, of Jura, mentioned to me that he believed 
there was a well-authenticated tradition of a stag having swum from Jura to the 
mainland, a distance of seven miles. The above I had from Mr. David Thornburn, 
the intelligent tenant of the island.— William Robertson ; Kintockmoidart, Inverness- 
shire.—From the ‘ Field.’ 

New Mode of preserving Fossil Elephants’ Tusks.—In No. 366 of the ‘ Field’ 
there is mention made of the common occurrence of elephants’ tusks, in all parts of 
England, in a fossil state ; and a lamentation that only portions of tusks are seen, as 
the workmen in moving them break them to pieces, they being so brittle on account of 
a great portion of their animal constituents having been destroyed by the action of air 
and moisture, and only the mineral remaining. Now, if any of your readers should 
find a fine tusk, he may restore its hardness, partially, by pouring upon it a solution 
of glue (which the ivory sucks readily up), and by repeating this process the tusk will 
be most wonderfully restored both in appearance and strength.— R. H. T. Gilbert ; 
Kensington.—Id. 

[The exquisitely-carved ivory tablets obtained in a crumbling state from the ruins 
of Nineveh were perfectly restored and preserved, at the suggestion of Prof. Owen, by 
soaking them in a solution of gelatine at a temperature of 120°. They have thus 
become hard and perfect ivory again——Edward Newman.] 

The Stoat in Winter Dresss. — At the last meeting of the Zoolugical Society, Dr. 
Crisp exhibited a stoat in perfect winter dress. It had been killed in Suffolk. The 
change of colour here was more complete than in Mr. Bell’s specimen, but the animal 
had been captured in a more northern county.— EF. W. H. Holdsworth ; March 7, 
1860. 

Birth of two Bears at the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park. — It is a very rare 
thing indeed that bears breed in captivity ; and it is therefore with great pleasure 
that, through the kindness of the energetic and able Secretary of the Zovlogical 
Gardens, I am enabled to place on record the birth of two young bears on the 
Society’s premises. In the bear-pit at the Zoological Gardens there are three bears, 


XVIII. R 


6914 Quadrupeds. 


viz., two females, one a brown European, the other a black American specimen, the 
male being also American. The mother of the cubs is the European bear, and they 
were born at the end of December last. At the time of birth, and for some days after, 
these curious little wretches were not larger than common rats, and their growth 
advanced very slowly ; at their death, a few days ago, they were not much larger than 
a good-sized rabbit, but yet exceedingly vigorous, strong little rascals. The bear 
who had not young ones assisted for some time the mother in the care of her little 
family ; but, thinking she might maltreat and injure them, the keeper shut her out of 
the den where the nest was made. She managed, however, to scratch under and push 
up the heavy iron grating, and, getting in to the cubs, killed both and partially 
devoured one, to the great grief of their mother and of all those whu had seen them 
alive and well. Mr. Bartlett, the intelligent and obliging Resident Superintendent 
at the Gardens, has made close observations on these young bears, and read a paper 
upon them at the Zoological Society, Hanover Square. He stated that he has ascer- 
tained that the period of gestation is seven months, and that the animals are born 
towards the end of December. Now, in a natural state the mother-bear would at that 
time of year be in a state of hybernation, shut up snug and warm in some snow-covered 
cave, with very little food or nourishment, if indeed any at all. In captivity the 
nature of the animal is not changed, for Mr. Bartlett has observed that even before 
the birth of the cubs, and during the period the mother was suckling them, she took 
very little nourishment at any time. Coupling this fact with the remarkably small 
size of the animals when born, he imagines that bears naturally bring forth their 
young during the period of their hybernation,—a period when the mother is 
exceedingly fat, the milk being derived from the accumulation of fat which the bear 
always manages to pile up under her fur-clad skin before she goes into winter 
quarters. As regards this subject, the Rev. J. Wood, in that most interesting and care- 
fully-written work, ‘ Routledge’s Natural History, when speaking of bears, writes as 
follows :—‘‘ The bear-cubs make their appearance at the end of January or the begin- 
ning of February; and it is a curious fact that though the mother has been deprived 
of food for nearly three months, and does not take any more food until the spring, she 
is able to afford ample nourishment to her young without suffering any apparent 
diminution in her condition.” Mr. Bartlett has also ascertained a curious fact 
relative to the position of the teats in the mother-bear. There are six of these teats 
altogether ; they are not placed upon the abdomen, but four upon the breast (upon 
the pectoral muscles between the fore legs or arms) and two on the lower part of the 
body (between the hind legs, in the same place as the udder of a cow is found). 
There is doubtless some good reason for this curious disposition of the teats, and it 
must have some relation to the habits of the animal in its wild state. It is just 
possible that this may be read by some gentleman who has hunted or observed bears 
in their natural wilds, and if he could kindly communicate his observations he would 
greatly oblige many persuns who are interested in the matter. — F. 7. Buckland, 
an the ‘ Field,’ 


Quadrupeds. 6915 


Notes on the Duckbill. By Grorce BENNETT, Esq., F.Z.S., &c.* 


On the morning of the 28th of December, 1858, I received a male 
and female specimen of the Ornithorynchus, alive; the male very 
large, and the female much smaller; they had been captured four 
days before the opportunity occurred of sending them. They were 
packed in a box with straw, carefully and securely fastened down ; 
they had burrowed into the straw, and seemed warm and comfortable. 
When taken out and placed in a tub of water, they were very lively, 
diving down and remaining out of sight; and were so timid that 
when reappearing it was only to place the end of the mandibles out 
of the water to inhale some fresh air, when they would speedily dis- 
appear again, seeming to be perfectly aware they were watched. The 
longest time this animal could remain under water, without rising to 
the surface to breathe, was full 7 minutes 15 seconds, by the watch. 
I placed them in the evening in a tub of water with turf and grass ; 
they remained quite tranquil, bubbles of air rising occasionally to the 
surface of the water alone indicating their position, with a movement 
as if they were shifting their place in the tub, but without showing 
the body. After some minutes had elapsed, the tip of the black snout 
would appear on the side of the tub, to the length of about an inch, 
or just sufficient for the nostrils to be above the surface of the water, 
they being at the same dilated as if to imbibe a supply of atmospheric 
air. They would only remain a few seconds, when they again 
speedily disappeared. When watched at a distance, one was seen to 
crawl out from the tub and escape upon the ground, but it was 
speedily captured and replaced. After leaving them in the water for 
about an hour, I placed my hand in the tub and took them out, and 
on replacing them in the box they soon burrowed down in the straw. 

They are, as may be expected, fond of darkness and concealment, 
and dive under water or burrow under ground, coming to the surface 
to feed and enjoy themselves, principally at the dusk of the evening 
or at night. 

I do not believe that the duckbill has ever been found in South 
Australia, no specimen having yet been brought from that locality. 

These animals are rather crepuscular in their habits, sleeping for 
the most part of the day ; and in captivity I have always found them 
very annoying at night, disturbing the rest of every one within 
hearing, by the scratching and restless noises which they make in 


* From the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society.’ 


6916 Quadrupeds. 


their vigorous efforts to escape ; whereas in the morning they will be 
found rolled up and fast asleep. Still I am now of opinion that all 
the Australian crepuscular and night animals,—judging from those I 
have been able to observe in captivity,—although very active, and 
feeding principally at night, will leave their places of concealment 
during the day, for a short time, for the purpose of feeding. 

The male animal, as if to keep up its bird-like character, has a spur, 
moveable, like that of the barn-door cocks. This is found also in the 
Echidna, or porcupine ant-eater, another of the monotrematous 
family ; but, judging from experiments on both animals, cannot. be 
considered a weapon of offence or defence, and is for some purpose 
in the economy of the animal at present unknown to us. From my 
recent observations I consider the question of the spur in the male 
being a poisonous weapon as now decided ; for the living male spe- 
cimen, though very shy and wild, can be handled with impunity. 
Although making violent efforts to escape, and even giving me some 
severe scratches with the hind claws in its attempts, still either in or 
out of the water he has never attempted to use the spur as a weapon 
of offence. Indeed, the scratching I have before alluded to has not 
been done by the animal intentionally, as it is to all intents and pur- 
poses perfectly harmless ; but accidentally by the hind claws, which 
alone are sharp, in the efforts made to extricate itself from my grasp. 
The female will float feeding upon the water, and is much tamer than 
the male. The latter keeps swimming about below, and it is.a long 
time before he ventures to put more than the snout above the water, 
and then rarely more than the head and a little of the upper part of 
the body. | 
_ From the 29th to the 31st of December they were lively and well. 
I placed them for one or two hours in the water morning and evening, 
to feed and wash themselves, which they appeared to enjoy exceed- 
ingly. I placed some meat minced very fine in the water to try to 
feed them, so as to send them alive to Europe, as I considered the 
manner of feeding them an important preliminary step to ascertain. 
In their natural state they evidently feed in water. Just before I took 
them out in the evening they had burrowed to the bottom of the box, 
among the straw, very warm and comfortable, and they were cuddled 
close together. 

On the third morning I found them much tamer, and, instead of 
diving down immediately they were placed in the water, they floated 
upon the surface. The female would permit me to look close to her 
little twinkling eyes; her ears were always much dilated, and she 


Quadrupeds. 6917 


would remain tranquil even when I touched or scratched her head or 
back ; but the instant I touched the sensitive mandibles she would 
either dip down partially or disappear altogether under water for a 
short time. The male is evidently much more timid. I have only 
once seen his body on the surface of the water; and when taking him 
out of the water and replacing him in his box, I found great difficulty 
in capturing him. The female, being generally upon the surface, is 
secured and placed in the box very easily, but the struggles of the 
male are very great, and this makes it more difficult to take him every 
time. The female paddles about on the surface, and occasionally 
performs summersaults in the water; the male sometimes comes up, 
but dives rapidly down again. The female floats upon the water 
without any apparent paddling, and remains in a sort of half-immersed 
position for a great length of time, with the beak lying flat upon the 
water. If any dust comes near the sensitive nostrils, a bubbling of 
water is seen to issue from them, as if to drive away the irritating 
substance; and, if this does not succeed, the beak is washed in the 
water to remove it. 

January Ist, 1859. Both the animals this morning had a sleek, 
healthy and lively appearance ; they did not require to be taken out 
of the box to be placed in the tub of water, but ran in themselves as 
soon as the lid of the box was opened. On entering the water they 
turned and gamboled about, and then reclined on one side, scratching 
themselves with the hind claws. They would permit me to touch 
them without being disturbed ; indeed, they had become so tame as 
to allow me to tickle and scratch them gently, and appeared to enjoy 
it very much. They generally remained half-submerged in the water; 
it is only when touching the sensitive mandibles that they would dive 
down, but even then they would not remain long under water. Their 
fayourite position was half-submerged, with the mandibles resting down 
upon the surface of the water. 

The female is languid and weak, but the male continues vigorous, 
diving and swimming about. When in the water they play together, 
occasionally tumbling one over the other, and then remain on the sur- 
face of the water, gently combing their fur. No attempt was ever 
made (even when he growled at being disturbed) by the male to injure 
or even scratch with the spur. When I took the male out or disturbed 
him at night, he growled, and afterwards made a peculiar shrill 
whistling noise, as if a signal call to his companion. It is principally 
in the evening and at night that these animals are in the habit of 
coming out of their burrows to sport and feed both in the water and 


6918 Quadrupeds. 


upon the banks. On retiring to their burrows to repose, they roll 
themselves up like furred balls. 

January 2nd. The female appeared quite exhausted this evening. 
On being placed in the water, it paddled feebly about, and then, 
dropping its head, sank. On removing it I found it was dead. It 
appeared, on examination, to be in poor condition, 

January 3rd. The male does not appear to be thriving, but I have 
now a large tub prepared for his reception, in which I have made the 
following arrangements. The tub is 3 feet 6 inches in length by 1 foot 
9 inches broad, and 2 feet deep. At one end I have had a wooden 
enclosure made, which was partially filled with earth and a sprinkling 
of straw; this attempt to imitate the burrow was 12 inches deep and 
15 inches in length. I then placed sand from a pond a few inches 
deep in the tub, in which I planted some fresh plants of Damasonium 
ovatum and other river plants from a pond in the Botanic Gardens. 
The tub was filled with water up to an inclined plane, which was turfed 
like a bank; a level space was also left, on which turf was placed, so 
that the animal might repose and clean himself on emerging from the 
water. On placing the male into it he dived down and seemed to 
enjoy himself very much. He was still lively, lying upon the surface 
of the water, and scratching himself, and again diving and swimming 
among the weeds; he then went upon the level bank and again plunged 
into the water: after remaining there for nearly an hour, sometimes 
upon the surface, and often for a long time under water, he found his 
way into the burrow, where he remained. I covered the whole of the 
cage with zinc wire, by which means he had light and air, and we 
could observe all his actions. This was to prevent his escape, as he 
could readily have climbed up the surface of the tub. There are 
openings at each end of the cask, by which means we could draw off 
all the dirty stagnant water and replace it with clean as often as was 
required. I fed the animal on meat minced very small, and then thrown 
into the water. 

Both of these animals were captured in a net. The man who took 
them stated he had kept two alive for fourteen days, feeding them upon 
river-mussels, which he broke and gave them in the water; that they 
seemed to thrive very well; and that he supposed that they fed upon 
these mussels, as they had been in good health, their death having been 
occasioned by accident. 

It surprises many why these animals, when captured in a net and 
left all night, are found drowned in the morning. - It is my opinion 
that when one of these animals is captured in a net (as was the case 


Quadrupeds. 6919 


with a male specimen taken in that way a short time since in the 
Mulgoa Creek, and found dead in the morning) it is entangled in the 
meshes, and, being unable to rise to the surface to breathe, is 
drowned. 

January 5th. Last night I observed the animal emerge from the 
water and enter the burrow; this was about 11 p.m. This morning I 
did not see him in the water; he appeared yesterday evidently droop- 
ing and sickly, and I fear we have not yet got into the method of 
feeding them. Their food being minute and delicate it requires some 
experience to give it to these peculiar animals successfully. On 
opening the burrow the animal was not there, and on drawing off the 
water we found him stiff and dead at the bottom. Having, no doubt, 
been too weak to regain the burrow he perished when in the water. 
Thus ends the first experiment of keeping duckbills alive. 

On dissection I found that they had been starved; there was no 
food or sand either in the intestines or pouches, nothing but dirty 
water. Should I procure other specimens it is my intention to intro- 
duce into my tank river-shrimps and insects of different kinds previous 
to placing them in it, so that they may obtain a sufficient supply of 
their natural food. Still all this will increase the difficulty of taking 
them to Europe, as the supply cannot be kept up at sea. They 
evidently are very delicate animals, and life is soon destroyed if nutri- 
ment is not rapidly kept up. The specimens were not emaciated in 
body before they died. 

The testes in this male were very small, not being larger than peas. 
The animal was full-grown, and of the size of the largest specimens 
usually seen. 

Sometimes I have seen the male with the spur so far thrown back 
and concealed from view as, at a glance, to be taken for the female, 
and when opened for anatomical examination to be mistaken for one, 
so that it is not improbable that the large testes resembling pigeons’ 
eggs may have given rise to the notion of the animal laying eggs. 

I have no doubt that the duckbills make their burrows high in the 
banks, so as to be out of reach of the floods which occasionally prevail. 
Although amphibious in their habits they require to repose on the dry 
land, and also to breathe atmospheric air at short intervals of time. 
Did they not adopt some plan of the kind, they would. be destroyed 
or drowned in their burrows by the floods. 

Another very young specimen was kept for three weeks, and fed 
upon worms ; it had a rudimentary spur ; it was very tame and easily 
fed by hand; it died on the 7th of February, and was preserved in 
spirits. 


6920 : Birds. 


The plan I propose, besides introducing shell-fish, &c., is to feed 
them, in captivity, upon worms, and, if we succeed in keeping them 
alive in Syduey by that method for three months, to send them in the 
place of confinement, arranged as before described, to England, 
keeping them upon the same diet. At all events it is worthy of a trial ; 
and, on quitting Sydney, I left the artificial burrow and other prepa- 
rations with a person interested in the subject, in order that he might 
try the experiment. 

I have remarked that when healthy these animals, on emerging 
from the water, are in the habit of cleaning and drying their fur, and 
seem to pay great attention to their being in a clean and dry condition, 
and appear also to be fond of warmth. Not long previous to the 
death of both these animals, I remarked that they did not dry or clean 
their fur, and I have no doubt that the chilliness produced by that 
circumstance accelerated their death, as the body—wmore especially 
in the male—was not so emaciated as would have been the case had 
death ensued from starvation. 


The Two Jackdaws.—In the summer of 1858 my friend, Mr. King, of Melbourne, 
procured four jackdaws from four different nests, wishing to keep one only as a pet. 
‘Three of them were reared, one of which was presented to a neighbouring clergyman, 
another to a gentleman who lives on a farm on Melbourne Common (a lonely spot, 
probably a mile distant), and the third he kept for himself. The latter (a male bird) 
remained quite contented with his situation for about three weeks, at the end of which 
time he frequently absented himself towards the middle of the day, but came back to 
roost. This he continued to do for perhaps three weeks longer, when he was missed 
altogether. Some time afterwards tidings were obtained of him, and, singular to say, 
that, having crossed Melbourne Pool and a somewhat peculiar kind of country, he had 
made his way to the farmhouse on the common, and taken up his quarters with the 
other jackdaw, his old companion, who, by-the-bye, happened to be an individual of 
the “ gentler sex.” The two remained at the farm all winter, coming into the house, 
feeding together, and being very tame. In the spring of the ensuing year they 
paired, and at last built a nest in the dovecote, where the female would have laid (for 
the eggs in the ovarium were considerably advanced), but unfortunately, whilst feeding 
one morning with the fowls, a domestic hen (which had chickens, not liking 
the colour of Mrs. Jack’s cloth) set upon and killed her. The cock still remains in 
his old quarters alive and well.—F’rom the ‘ Field.’ 

The Magpie Nesting in Confinement. — A curious circumstance occurred at 
Barrow-on Trent, in Derbyshire, one of the very few instances of the magpie breeding 
in confinement, more especially in the manner described. Two persons in that village 
had each a tame magpie, one was a male, the othera female. It was agreed that a 
matrimonial alliance should take place between them, and consequently they were in 
due time introduced to each other. With a coyness becoming her sex, Miss Magpie 


Birds. 6921 


received the attentions of her amorous suitor; but gradually her shyness wore away, 
and the pair were duly smitten with each other, or, in bird parlance, “ paired.” The 
birds were usually confined in a large wicker cage. As time wore on, Mrs. Mag- 
pie wished to take upon herself the duties of a family, and} both birds commenced 
building a huge fabric of sticks within the cage. They went into the neighbouring 
gardens and fields and collected mud and sticks, which they brought to it; but 
a difficulty sometimes presented itself; the brought materials proved tov large for 
admission into the cage. Bird ingenuity, however, suggested many novel devices to 
accomplish the end, and when not successful the owner of one of the birds gave them 
a little assistance. At last the roof-tree was put to the fabric, and it was “ papered” 
with the most approved ornithological lining. Mrs. Magpie then deposited four eggs 
therein, two of which were duly hatched, and the young reared. But the fate of most 
pets awaited them; being guilty of numerous breaches of the correct principle 
of meum and tuum, they were brought to trial, and finally condemned to forfeit their 
lives for their offences —an unfortunate termination to a pretty ornithological drama. 
—TId. 

Ornithological Notes from Norfolk : unusual Number of Hawfinches.— These sin- 
gular birds have visited us, during the late severe weather, in far larger numbers than 
I have ever known before. Every winter brings a few specimens to he classed 
amongst the rarer visitants during frost and snow; but since the first week in Decem- 
ber, 1859, I have seen upwards of thirty hawfinches, most of them in beautiful 
plumage, at one bird-preserver’s in this city, brought in, from time to time, from all 
parts of the county. Besides these I have heard of several others that have been 
noticed frequenting lawns and gardens, exhibiting during the intense cold but little 
of their peculiar shyness, and happily escaping that indiscriminate slaughter which 
must have sadly thinned their ranks. The kingtfishers in this neighbourhood have 
also suffered severely this season. During the intense frost between the 12th and 24th 
of December, when the rivers, drains and water-courses of every kind were thickly 
frozen, more than twenty of these beautiful little creatures, from one locality only, 
were brought into Norwich to be stuffed. Most of them were shot close to the water- 
mills, where the open. water caused by the action of the flushes afforded the only 
chance of obtaining their finny prey ; and several were picked up dead on the ice, 
frozen hard and stiff, and apparently starved to death. In one instance a kingfisher 
was seen to pitch down close to the bank-of the river, and, rising again, fly off toa 
rail close by. The person watching this bird saw it attempt to swallow something, 
when it suddenly fell over backwards and was picked up dead. . On being examined 
afterwards it was found to have bolted a small black shrew, which unusual morsel had 
evidently caused its untimely end, but showed how hard pressed these poor birds must 
have been for their natural food. The large number thus met with in one district is 
accounted for by the migratory arrivals that undoubtedly occur on our coasts during 
the autumn and winter. I have not heard of any more waxwings since my last notice, 
and have only heard of one small flock of crossbills having been seen, of which a pair 
were shot on the 5th of January. During the heavy gales in December several little 
auks were picked up dead in various places along the coast, but none, as is sometimes 
the case, far inland. A few days since, however, a solitary dunlin sandpiper was 
picked up dead under the telegraph wires at Cringleford, aboyt a mile and a half 
from Norwich. This wandering Tringa, thus strangely out of his latitude, was pro- 
bably dashed against the wires during the gale, having been carried away more than 


XVIII. s 


6922 Birds. 


twenty miles from its natural haunts by the sea. A fine adult male of the black- 
throated diver, with the throat white, was shot on Barton Broad about the 28th of 
January, and two or three redthroated divers, but all immature, have also occurred. 
A female redbreasted merganser and three female goosanders appeared about the same 
time, but no male birds of either species have been met with to my knowledge. — 
H, Stevenson ; Norwich, February 16, 1860. 

Wood Pigeons in Puris. — During a fortnight’s visit to Paris, in November last, I 
was rather surprised to find that wood pigeons frequented the gardens of the Tuileries 
in considerable nu:nbers. Every evening, from my rooms in the Rue Rivoli, I saw 
from ten or a dozen to about twenty birds on some three or four trees, as if settled for 
the night. They were often to be seen, in the trees or on the wing, during the day, 
occasionally flying within a few feet of the numerous pedestrians like tame pigeons. 
That a bird so shy and wary as the ring dove should thus adopt as its haunt a large 
city, swarming with a bustling population, affords, I think, a strong proof of the 
readiness with which some of our wildest birds would live on social terms with us if 
we would afford them protection, or at least abstain from persecuting them. (I have 
several] times seen (or heard) wood pigeons in Kensington Gardens, but not, I think, 
in the winter, and they always kept well out of shot distance, never evincing the fami- 
liarity of the Paris birds.\— Henry Hussey ; 7, Hyde Park Square, February 25, 1860. 

Wild-fowl in the London Ornamental Waters.—Having for several years paid par- 
ticular attention to the aquatic birds in the different London waters, I have often seen 
there wild-fow] (as they are commonly called), of some four or five species, with per- 
fect wings. As no wild bird, with its powers of flight unimpaired, would be likely to 
stay for half an hour after it was turned out in any of these waters, I have always 
supposed that these birds must be London bred, that is, hatched in the Zoological 
Gardens (or perhaps in the Regent’s or St. James’s Park), and that they merely staid 
in town for the season until their migrating time came. Some of your correspondents 
can perhaps enlighten me on the subject. I have notes of the following birds with 
perfect wings, when and where seen :— 


1851: July. In the Serpentine. A male wigeon. 
1852: February. Round Pond, Kensington Gardens. A female wigeon. 
1853: December. Lake in the Regent's Park. A male wigeon. 
1854: March. Pond in the Botanical Gardens, Regent’s Park. A pair of gadwalls 
(male and female) and a pair of shovellers (male and female). 
» february. Ditto. A male wigeon. 
1856: February. Regent’s Park Lake. A male wigeon. 
»» February, March and December. Botanical Gardens. A pair of hybrid 
wigeons (mallard and wigeon), male and female. 
», December. Regent's Park Like. A female tufted duck. 
1857: February. Botanical Gardens. A male gadwall. 
1858: January. St. James’s Park. A male gadwall. 
1859: January. Regent’s Park. A female hybrid wigeon (mallard and wigeon). 
» April. St. James’s Park Canal. A male gadwalland a whitefronted goose. 
» December; and February, 1860. Ditto. Two male gadwalls. 
1860: January., Ditto. A ferruginous (or whiteeyed) duck 
1859: December ; and January and February, 1860. Regent’s Park Lake. Two 
male hybrid and one female hybrid wigeons. 


Birds. 6923 


From the above list it will be seen that a male wigeon, and in all probability the pair 
of hybrid wigeons, remained in town during the summer. Several years ago, when 
rude huts or platforms were erected in the Round Pond, Kensington Gardens, for the 
water-fowl, a male wigeon with perfect wings frequented the pond for two, if not more, 
years. One year he paired with a duck, somewhat darker in colour than a common 
wild duck ; and I saw three of his progeny when about one-third grown. About the 
same time a pair of waterhens frequented the pond, breeding every year in one of the 
above-mentioned huts. The latter birds seem to me to be far less numerous in the 
London waters than they used to be. The boats have driven them entirely from the 
upper end of the Serpentine. I once counted seventeen waterhens feeding together 
near the inner circle in the Regent’s Park. Previous to the introduction of the boats 
a small party of tufted ducks (nine birds, I believe) used to frequent the Serpentine, 
flying to.and fro between that water and the canal in St. James’s Park. I have fre- 
quently seen tufted ducks on the wing, long after migrating time, on both the 
above waters, but not of late years ; and I never saw any young birds. It seems sin- 
gular that a migratory bird, with full powers of flight, should remain during the sum- 
mer in a place where it has no facilities for breeding. The conclusion I draw from 
the above and other facts is, that the wigeon and tufted duck might easily be semi- 
domesticated in places adapted to their habits; that they might be made quite as 
gentle as that familiar but most independent bird, the waterhen; and that the epithet 
“ tame ” is far more applicable to them than to the mute swan, which, as far as I can 
learn, will never stay at home unless he is crippled. Can any of your correspondents 
give a well-authenticated instance of young mute swans, with their powers of flight 
unimpaired, and at liberty, remaining in this country after the migrating period >—Jd. 
‘The Wild-fowler. — Mr. Folkard, in the above work, after describing the 
shoveller as a “‘ diving” duck (p. 259), proceeds as follows :—‘* None of the species of 
shoveller can be recommended for culinary purposes.” Now, as is well known to 
ornithologists, the shoveller is a surface-feeding, and not a diving or “ oceanic” duck, 
and so-far from being unfit for the table it is one of the best, if not the very best, of 
the edible ducks. Audubon, as quoted by Yarrell, rates it above the far-famed can- 
vas duck. Colonel Hawker testifies to its excellence, and I think myself that it is 
superior to the pintail, excellent as that bird is. According to Yarrell there is but one 
species of shuveller known in England. Mr. Folkard’s shoveller cannot therefore be 
the true bluewinged shoveller known to ornithologists, the Anas clypeata of Pennant 
and Montagu, and the A. rhynchaspis of Gould, but some other bird. Mr. Folkard 
does not mention the goldeneye or tufted duck, both well known on our coasts, and 
the latter one of the commonest of our wild-fowl. Can it be that on the Essex coast, 
where Mr. Folkard’s shooting operations seem to have been chiefly carried on, these 
birds are called “shovellers”? A literary and “learned” sporstman ought not to be 
misled by provincial names, often absurdly incorrect. However the mistake arose, 
the author ought to correct it in his next edition, if he expects his book to supersede 
Colonel Hawker’s. However much behind the modern march of intellect the Colonel 
may be in his shooting instructions, his ornithology may be depended upon.—Jd. 
Wild Swans on the Coast of China.—I had often heard talk of the swans seen and 
shot on the Foo-chow river Min, which some sportsman assured me were of two kinds, 
the white and the black. The black I of course attributed to a little imaginary 
colouring on the part of my informants, gray being implied, and the birds alluded to 
being in all prebability the yearlings of the white kind. Some have also assured me 


6924 Birds. 


that swans are sometimes seen in the Chang-chow river here; but notwithstanding all 
my endeavours I have failed to get a glimpse of these rare monster game until this 
winter, when by some extraordinary luck, a few weeks ago, I received from a friend 
at Shanghai a pair of wild swans caught in that neighbourhood, which he informed 
me were large “ wild white geese.” Of course I could say nothing against the natural 
blunder of my friend when I had been so enriched by his exertions. The next thing 
was bow to keep them alive for a few days, to watch their habits; but alas! Amoy is 
the last place to bring live swans to, unless one wishes to see them frolic among the 
shipping ; so I was obliged to condemn them to my narrow court-yard, scarce more 
extensive than a London area; and in this prison I sedulously watched the dull 
habits of these once snow-white creatures, now reduced to as dingy a hue as any other 
gaol-bird. Their wings had been cleverly tied by passing a string round the first wing- 
bone and across the back, and thus kept the birds from using them too freely. Often 
as I have watched from a window above, I have seen them stalking awkwardly about 
the yard, the female always following the male. They would sometimes stand close 
together, and the female coaxingly rub her head and breast against the male, uttering 
all the while her plaintive notes, to which the male sometimes responded in a deeper 
key. These sounds were produced by the bird rounding her neck, lowering her head 
towards the breast and then raising it quickly again. The notes produced might be 
syllabled “ co-co” uttered in a most melancholy tone, and were not unlike the wind 
escaping from some long brass instrument. The female was most constantly uttering 
the chaunt, consisting at times of two, at others of three or more notes, and continued 
it through the greater part of the moonlight nights. Often, while in my room in the 
upper story of the house, this plaint has recalled to my mind the notes of the distant 
hoopoe, or the less pleasant music made by some antiquated window swinging in the breeze 
on its rusty hinges. When suddenly approached the birds would both utter a loud’ 
‘*fcow-cow,” pronounced like the treble bark of some snappish cur, and, uplifting their 
necks, they would stand defiant, giving hoarse hisses ; but if the hand were boldly put 
forward towards them they curved their heads and tried to escape. When taken up 
they would kick and throw the neck about violently, making a loud and shrill cack- 
ling noise, which might be heard at a great distance. It is evident from my obser- 
- vations above that mine possessed the same peculiar habits and cries as the wounded 
female of Cygnus ferus spoken of in Montagu’s ‘ Ornithological Dictionary ;? but my 
birds I have ascertained to belong to Cygnus minor, Pallas (C. Bewickii, Yarrell). 
Therefore, either the wild swan assimilates Bewick’s swan in habits, or, what is more 
probable, Montagu was describing the female of C. Bewickii, which at that time was 
not distinguished from C. ferus. Dr. Schlegel, in the ‘ Fauna Japonica, mentions a 
C. musicus vel ferus from Japan. Now, it would be worth while to ascertain if this 
statement is not a mistake, as I feel pretty confident that the wild swan on this coast 
belongs only to one species, tbe C. minor of Pallas. At all events the pair examined 
by me answer in every respect to the description given in Yarrell of C. Bewickii. 
After the death of the female the male was never heard to utter a sound of any kind ; 
he held himself very erect and looked melancholy, continuing to refuse all food until 
nearly reduced to a skeleton; his legs yielded under him, and death put an end to 
his miseries. 
CYGNUS MINOR, ¢. 


Length 3 feet 9 inches. Wing from curvature 1 foot 7 inches. Bill from base of 
culmen to the tip 3 inches 4-tenths, frontal protuberance } inch ; lower man- 


Birds. 6925 


dible 3 inches 4-tenths; bare extent of skin from top of eye to end towards 
nostril 2 inches 3-tenths, fine bright yellow, deeper than lemon; this colour 
also stains the naked skin that encircles the eye. Bill black, as also are the 
legs. Naked portion of tibia 1 inch 1-tenth; tarsus 4 inches; mid-toe 
5 inches 2-tenths, its claw 7-tenths. Plumage white, with orange-brown 
speckles on the head and neck. 
This bird was in every way superior in size to the female, and its sternum was 
vastly more developed. The trachea runs the whole prescribed length, nearly 6 inches, 
between the bone-plates of the sternum, and makes the horizontal loop described by 
Yarrell. The ceca were given off at about 6} inches from the anus, and measured, 
the right one 11 iuches, the left 12 inches: they were enlarged into leech-like ends. 


CyGNus MINOR, ?. 

Length 3 feet 33 inches. Wing 1 foot 7 inches. Bill along the culmen 33 inches, 
from the angle of the eye 43 inches, depth 1 inch 8-tenths, black ; skin at the 
base over the ridge, round the eye, but not reaching the nostril by $th of an 
inch, fine deep lemon-yellow. Inside of mouth purplish. Legs black ; tarsus 
3 inches 5-tenths ; mid-toe 4 inches 3-tenths, its claw 7-tenths. 

The trachea, instead of as iu the male, enters the crest of thé sternum, and pro- 
gresses only a distance of 2 inches 2-tenths, leaving a cavity of 23 inches, with a small 
up-turned plate inside at the end of the keel. The loop therefore is vertical, the 
trachea so soon bending on itself and making its exit to enter the thorax. Now, 
Yarrell and Macgillivray both distinctly state that the female, in points of anatomy, 
is similar to the male. We must therefore conclude that the lady was the second or 
third wife of the gentleman; but there is nothing in their external appearance to war- 
rant this belief, excepting size, for both are equally white, and the superior osseous 
development of the male’s body, which appears on dissection, might easily be attri- 
butable to sexual difference. 


It will be seen, however, that C. Bewickii, instead of being limited to Iceland and 
other places on the western side of the old hemisphere, is equally found on the eastern 
side. It is known in Chinese works as the Hai (sea) Yen, but is a stranger to the 
natives of this part.— Robert Swinhoe ; Amoy, December 23, 1859. 


Notes on the Mountain Birds of Jamaica. 
By W. Ossourn, Esq.* 
“ Agualta Vale, Metcalfe, Jamaica, 
January 20, 1860. 

“My dear Sir,—By far the most considerable of the ‘rivers* I 
alluded to in my last as forming so remarkable a feature in the scenery 
of Metcalfe is the one which reaches the sea through this beautiful 
little valley. A good many Spanish names still adhere to their old 
localities hereabouts, but I never heard the name ‘ Agua Alta’ applied 
to it, except in maps; and it does not seem very clear why the old 
colonists should have chosen it for a stream two or three feet deep, 


* Communicated by P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.R.S. 


6926 Birds. 


unless it allude to its floods, when it would be very appropriate indeed. 
But the English name, the ‘Wag Water,’ expresses* exactly its winding 
tortuous course at all times, as it threads its way through many a 
gloomy gorge for some thirty miles from the mountains of St. Andrew’s. 
At its entrance into the valley here, it is really nothing more than a 
lively bright little mountain stream. The lofty hill of shale, which 
here forms the western bank, is topped by an overhanging brow of 
red conglomerate, rendering the dense forest beneath it still more 
gloomy. ‘The trees grow on the steep slope, amid huge angular frag- 
ments of the same rock, some of which have rolled into the river 
below. Beneath these the Wag Water delights to scoop out its 
shingle into deep holes, in whose blue-green depths the mountain 
mullets love to lurk. This hill is succeeded by another, rounder and 
of shale alone, towards the base of which the overseer’s house is 
built. It forms, in some sort, the head of the valley, for the rounded 
shale hills which continue to follow widen the valley by receding 
westwards as they diminish in height till they sink into the belt of 
swamp I have before alluded to. 

“The eastern limit is formed by the spurs of a shale peak of con- 
siderable elevation. Towards the river they terminate suddenly in 
precipices, whose bare brown heights tower amid the trees and jungle 
that cling about them. Their surface must constantly be renewed by 
the crumbling of the shale, as not one of the numerous plants which 
so readily drape and festoon such situations in the tropics seems able 
to hold the ground. The river-shingle extends to their base, and the 
floods doubtless greatly aid the process. These spurs, as they suc- 
ceed each other obliquely to the river-course, fall back to the east- 
wards, till one advancing further than the rest shuts in the view in 
this direction. Thus from the overseer’s house opens a valley about 
two miles in length and half a mile across. The rounded shale hills 
are covered by the coarse guinea-grass I have mentioned, now dry and 
brown, dotted with the sombre rigid tufts which the great macaw palm 
(Cocos fusiformis) rears on its armed stem ; or the hollows are choked 
with the numerous hardy shrubs which take immediate advantage of 
slackened cultivation to gain possession of the soil. Among these the 
logwood (Hematozylon) and an Acacia or two hold a conspicuous 
place. Guinea-grass and bush are more mingled on the steeper hills 
to the east, but they have long been cleared of the ancient forest ; and 
uninterrupted lines of bamboo from base to summit are the durable 


* T believe, however, that “ Wag-water” is but an English corruption of Agu’ alta; 
just as Bocagua, on the Rio Cobre, has been corrupted to “‘ Bog-walk.’—P. H. G. 


Birds. 6927 


remains of a culture now long neglected. The valley is terminated 
by a line of dark green, the rank vegetation of the swamp. Over this 
tower the cocoa-nuts, growing on the banks of sea-shingle I have de- 
scribed ; above these a blue segment of the Caribbean, across which 
rise the masts of a vessel at anchor in Annotto Bay; as she swings to 
the wind these last appear as one, so that the valley must be nearly 
N.E. and S.W., and down it rushes the fierce sea-breeze the whole day 
long. But the bright little river is the chief object; for, what is remark- 
able in a Jamaica stream, no trees fringe its course, and it is thus visible 
sparkling over its shallows, or its blue surface ruffled by the sea-breeze, 
save where its own perpetual windings hide it behind its banks. 
“The valley seems once to have consisted wholly of an alluvium 
(the morass may have extended up it), a rich valuable soil, and the 
portion now remaining is covered with waving squares of sugar-cane 
or rich pastures, sparsely dotted with trees, chiefly the fiddlewood 
 (Citharoxylon) and a beautiful tree called by the negroes ‘ yoke-wood ;’ 
here it abounds, but I have met with it elsewhere, but where it 
_ seemed planted ; it is now covered with a profusion of flowers, larger 
_ than, but of the colour of, apple-blossoms, succeeded by narrow pods 
two feet long: itis a Bignonia, and, as I believe B. leucoxylon; Ihave 
heard it called also ‘Spanish elm,’ and it is very like an elm in shape 
when its growth is undisturbed, but in nothing else, for its foliage is 
a soft gray-green. This alluvium now occupies only about one-third 
_ of the valley—the rest is the Wag Water’s own. Close to the base 
of the shale precipices of the eastern bank is a narrow line of 
swamp, showing plainly the river once flowed there. Between this 
and the river lies a tract of shingle. Lower down still the road crosses 
a crescent-shaped pond, now grown up, all but the fording, with reeds, 
and much frequented of Rallide. This was the river-bed only three 
years ago; now by a sudden bend it is working away at the bases of 
the western hills, half a mile off, with what success the prostrate trunk 
of a huge cotton tree tells plainly. The many acres of land included 
between these shifting courses is deeply covered with shingle; the 
floods bring down the former soil, being completely washed away, to 
the great detriment of those interested in its cultivation. Where this 
shingle has been long undisturbed a herbage gradually covers the 
hungry soil, but not very profitable, it would seem, as pasturage. The 
limit of the floods is marked by a scanty vegetation of a very peculiar 
nature, whilst the recently-formed shoals lie bare and gray, a broad 
‘margin on which nothing will grow. 
“It is to these two last, forming a tract of varying breadth, but often 


6928 Birds. 


of considerable extent, and to the birds which frequent it, I would devote 
the present letter. The plants which sparsely occupy such a soil must 
often ‘ spring to perish there, but at the best they must be able to get 
a firm hold of the loose shingle, to bear submersion beneath the turbid 
and rapid waters for some time, and then half-buried in loose stones 
and loaded with drift, and still able to recover themselves. One of 
the most abundant of these is Cleome heptaphylla, whose irregular 
white flowers seem always in bloom. Little tufis of the common 
Mimosa pudica and #schynomene americana, both in differing degrees 
sensitive, are numerous. Amaranthus viridis, common everywhere, here 
holds its ground in green patches, without beauty of any sort; but the 
Amarauths have a gay representative in a species whose bright purple 
calyces and bracts collect into a spike—brilliant bits of colour against 
the cold gray of the stones amid which they grow. The horses’ hoofs, 
in crossing little clumps of herbage, produce a rattle singularly 
metallic, considering its source—the dry seeds of various species of . 
Crotalaria loose within the dried and inflated pods. C. retusa is a 
common weed, though its spikes of large yellow papilionaceous 
flowers make it very ornamental. With C. verrucosa, here equally 
common, the flowers, scarcely less, are a purplish blue. C. striata 
rises to a bush three or four feet in height, but the flowers are in- 
significant; and this list might be extended with many others. As 
seems very commonly the case with plants in barren, exposed situa- 
tions, though sometimes stunted in growth, the seed is produced with 
unusual profuseness ; hence, at this season, the shingle is frequented 
by numerous flocks of Spermophila olivacea and bicolor. I may 
remark that if these little birds ever realiy cease building nests and 
rearing young at all it is during the first two months of the year. The 
flocks at this time are more numerous, and numbers of the adult 
males, with distinguishing orange or black, appear among them; 
but the autumnal flocks do not seem to exceed five or six, and then, 
as I have often noticed, there is no adult male with them, which would 
look as if they were broods of young. They certainly breed, however, 
as late as the end of October and beginning of November. In quest 
of the same abundantly-supplied food are numbers of your Coturniculus 
tixicrus, a very universally distributed little bird, as the last. I found 
it abundantly in the pastures round Freeman’s Hall, than which a 
locality more diverse from this can scarcely be. This pretty sparrow 
rises, takes a short flight, and drops suddenly a few yards off, or will 
sit watching on a low twig without any fear. 

“At this season, in numbers not much less, is the pretty Sylvicola, 


Birds. 6929 


the males of which have now the indications of the deep chesnut crown 
which becomes fully developed in spring, and which seems evidently 
the one you have identified as Sylvicola zstiva. I saw them very 
rarely on the tertiary limestone, but in Vere, where there are many 
barren dry tracts similar to this, they were common. [I left it in Vere 
in April, and found it here again in October. It is a very lowly 
species in habit, hopping constantly on the shingle itself. 

“It is chiefly, however, when the gusty winds called ‘norths,’ on 
the south-side cold and dry, but which here bring up heavy rains 
often of several days’ continuance, speedily convert these streams 
into powerful torrents, turbid with washings from the shale and laden 
with the pebbles of the conglomerate, that the birds which then 
suddenly make their appearance become particularly interesting. 
The river subsides, from the great breadth of soil it has covered as it 
approaches the coast, almost as quickly as it rose. Little pools are 
left in the shingles, and in these are imprisoned one or two species of 
Crustacea which crawl and hide amid the pebbles of black trap, 
porphyry, dark blue limestone, green serpentine, red syenite and 
granites of different grays, of which it is composed. Shoals of little 
fish glance and glide or dash round their narrow bounds, rippling the 
surface in their alarm. Though supplied by rains and dews these 
speedily dry up, but the retreating river still leaves more, and thus 
very considerable numbers of these little creatures are exposed to a 
lingering death, unless means were provided for their more speedy 
and less painful destruction. These pools, only six inches or less 
in depth, do not seem suited to the kingfisher (Ceryle Alcyon) which 
abounds on the Wag Water. I never saw them fishing but in much 
deeper water, which the force of the plunge evidently requires, that 
the bird should not injure itself. The Scolopacide and Charadriade 
appear only to run through them and search for prey much more 
minute. But to the beautiful group of Ardeade, which then appear 
in numbers, they seem exactly suited; as soon as the ‘ norths’ set in 
they come. As the rivers rise and then recede, they may be seen in 
numbers scattered along the banks. If, as this year, the rains 
speedily cease, not one will be found where a dozen might have been 
counted before ; they disappear entirely. The largest of the group 
is the great heron (Ardea Herodias), which, however, though it 
increases in numbers during the rains, seems a permanent resident, at 
any rate during the months I have been here. 

“JT had before only seen it flying out at sea at some distance, 
or over some impenetrable morass of great extent. But here they 

XVIII. T 


6930 Birds. 


are by no means so uncommon, though still extremely wary. In 
open situations, as these beds of river shingle, their great height gives 
them so commanding a view, it is impossible to approach un- 
perceived. They rise with slow beats of the immense wings, alight 
a hundred yards off, and then, erect and exactly fronting the intruder, 
watch his movements. If disturbed a second time they rarely alight 
again within sight. After some time a negro succeeded in shooting 
one for me. The chief dimensions were as follow :—Length 47 in. ; 
expanse 733 in.; height, when placed in a standing position as 
natural as possible, 49 in.: the stomach contained only alittle muddy 
matter, gritty to the touch, and several sets of the wings of our 
largest Libellulade, showing they do not despise insect-prey: the 
mandibles still grasped an eel about eighteen inches long, the head 
(much bruised and the bones broken) foremost down the throat. For 
* some time past one has frequented this valley, but has always eluded 
my most carefully planned attempts to get a shot. It seems always 
on the watch, and, after one delay, rarely fails to take a wide sweep, 
and slowly floats to the topmost boughs of a lofty tree at the base of 
one of the shale precipices, and there waits till danger disappears. 
About a fortnight ago it was joined by another. They keep close 
together, and seem, as they come slowly flapping low over the river, 
to take up its whole breadth. I may remark they always curve back 
the neck when flying, and never proceed to considerable distances 
with the neck outstretched and legs hanging, as the egrets will often 
do. They are exceedingly regular in their habits of visiting par- 
ticular spots at certain hours of the day, and this for many days 
together. I have latterly, from indisposition, been unable to carry 
my gun or go out, except in the cool of the day, for the delicious 
half-hours which precede and follow the sunsets of the tropics. In 
riding along the road towards the narrow gorge, through which the 
river breaks into the valley, I regularly saw these birds in the middle 
of the stream where the water rippled over a shoal. No artifice 
I could adopt enabled me to approach them. If I went on along the 
road they watched me, as I observed they did many groups of negroes, 
but remained; but if I stopped they were off. At last one evening 
I did not see them: I approached the river to search, my position 
being on the high bank of ancient alluvium; the opposite bank 
of river-shingle low and shelving. Suddenly one came round a 
bend of the river and alighted a yard or two from the water.on the 
opposite bank: IT happened to be there first; its distance from me 
might be about fifty yards. The bird immediately drew itself up in 


Birds. 6931 


the attitude of suspicion, so extremely erect, I think my estimate of 
height is a few inches too little. It stood perfectly motionless and 
exactly opposite. This position is doubtless assumed that both eyes 
may be brought to bear, but it seemed to me singularly to disguise the 
bird, the loose tuft of feathers on the breast hiding the compressed body 
from view. The mingled white and reddish brown of the extended 
neck, the height, the stillness so unlike a bird, conjoined,—it might 
easily at that distance have been taken for some other object, a 
dry bamboo, for instance, stuck in the shingle. I allowed my horse 
to graze, and its suspicions seemed allayed, for it walked deliberately 
into the water, and then without stopping into the middle of the 
stream. It was now only about forty yards off. It took a position a 
little below a shoal and facing the stream (a constant habit on the 
two or three occasions I have been able to observe), tucked up 
its large wings and began to fish. Its body was not so erect as when 
watching on shore, but the neck was kept upright and stiff, only the 
lower cervical vertebre apparently moving on each other, as like a 
long arm it was slowly moved from one side to the other, as any 
object in the water attracted the bird’s attention. This motion was 
very singular and uncouth, but perhaps we may trace in it the mode 
in which every advantage is retained of the commanding height, evi- 
dently made so important a point in the structure of the bird so as to 
gain the most extended view possible of the water beneath, whilst 
the slow movement would prevent alarm in adjacent prey. It was 
standing in about six inches of water. It suddenly stopped, regarded 
intently a point two or three feet in front, advanced two or three steps, 
crouched so that the breast touched the water, the neck forming 
a sigmoid curve, and then made two or three rapid snaps in the 
rippling water, and I could see something swallowed — small fishes 
probably. It then resumed the same manceuvres, and in a few 
minutes a much larger object was taken, which I immediately re- 
_ cognised to be an eel about eighteen inches long. With this it flew 
with a stroke or two of the huge wings to the shingle-bank, and there 
proceeded to despatch its prey, holding the head and jerking it 
violently with the action common to birds. The body was held 
low and stooping, the neck bent in graceful curves. The last 
rays of the sun glowed on its sombre but not inelegant plumage, 
and glistened on the shining coat of its struggling prey ; the whole, 
on the patch of bare shingle with its scanty weeds, forming one of 
those wild scenes of Nature which have a charm about them im- 
possible to describe. 


6932 Birds. 


“The great white heron (Egretta leuce 2) is not much less in size, 
but so far as my observations hereabouts have extended, is only a 
transient visitor during the heavy rains. Towards the latter end of 
October and beginning of November their stately forms might be 
seen here and there at the margin of the little rivers, where they cross 
the belt of swamp all along the coast. In this valley I never 
saw more than two. The one I shot, a female, proved smaller 
in dimensions than the male procured last spring in Vere. Instead, 
however, of keeping to the river as the great heron (Ardea Herodias), 
they were particularly fond of walking gracefully round the edge of 
the little glassy pools among the pebbles, or standing motionless over 
their own fair shadows watching the movements of the shoals of little 
fish. They crouch as the preceding species, so that the breast 
touches the water, and then, darting the head in different directions, 
snap up their prey with great rapidity. It was whilst doing this I 
succeeded in approaching near enough to shoot this wary bird. 
Their habits, in other respects, greatly resemble those I have detailed 
of the larger bird. They rise at a great distance, stop to watch 
at about one hundred yards, and then, if disturbed, the almost con- 
stant habit of the bird I saw most of was to circle slowly till 
it reached a withered bough of a tall solitary tree, in one of the pas- 
tures, and there, as conspicuous an object as dazzling white plumage 
in the blaze of a tropical mid-day could make it, maintain a vigilant 
look out. Towards evening he might again be seen floating over the 
windings of the river in search of a fishing-ground. The season 
since this period has been unusually dry and fine, and I have seen 
nothing more of them. Notwithstanding their size, they do not 
seem to reject very small insect-prey, as I found the stomach to con- 
tain the elytraee of water-beetles as well as small Crustacea and 
a small species of Gobius. 

“The next in size is a much less bird, but snow-white also. The 
bill is black all but the base, which, like the skin of the face, is 
bright yellow. The tarsi are black in front, behind of the same 
colour as the toes, a greenish yellow. This I presume to be the spe- 
cies you have identified as Egretta candidissima. The occipital, 
scapular and dorsal plumes are more filamentous than with the other 
two white species, and give a lace-like appearance to the snowy plu- 
mage extremely beautiful. It is the only one of our Ardeade (except 
perhaps occasionally E. cerulea) which can be said to be sociable, 
and it is so to a great degree. I never fell in with it at all in 
the South-West; but about Milk River and the Great Morass called 


Birds. 6933 


Portland Salina, in Vere, they were numerous, and I saw them not 
unfrequently floating in lines of ten or twelve against the bright 
morning sky. In October I fell in with a flock of six, reposing on 
the mangroves of the great lagoon near Dry Harbour, and all along 
the coast of St. Ann’s and St. Mary’s they were to be met with 
wherever the locality was suitable. Here they appeared in the same 
flocks and carried their associating tendencies so far as to admit other 
species into their company. I first observed this in a little flock, with 
a blue egret (EB. cerulea) among them, which I pursued some time in 
a boat on the lagoon behind Annotto Bay ; the darker bird flew and 
alighted with them exactly as one of the rest. And here on the Wag 
Water I frequently saw them in close company with E. leuce, 
a giant in comparison, and thus four or five of these beautiful birds of 
two species stepped stately in various graceful attitudes round the 
same bright bit of water. The stomach of one I dissected contained 
the little freshwater prawns; the posterior portion of the cesophagus 
acts as a crop, and was distended with a mass of about seventy 
or eighty of them. Their visit here is also transient just during the 
rains. 

“The third white species is your E. nivea, easily distinguished 
from the last two by the ashy tips to the wings, the colour of the bill 
and feet; and it is’ scarcely less so by its habits. I never saw 
it but quite solitary, though several might be fishing within short dis- 
tances of each other. It is much more numerous and far more fear- 
less than the other species, and is thus easily approached and shot. 
During the rainy season it is by far the most widely-distributed : 
scarcely a cattle-pond is without its occasional visitant. 1 found this 
solitary bird on the stream which flows through the small amount of 
cleared land round Freeman’s Hall, the more remarkable as the 
extensive forest all round offers no other suitable localities ; except 
a bird now and then to be seen near the morass, it has disappeared 
as the rest. 

“ Blue Egret (Egretta cerulea). Though the deep lavender-blue 
and empurpled neck render its plumage a contrast to the last three 
species, it is not less beautiful. It was tolerably common during the 
rains, and I have seen a solitary bird once or twice about the lagoons. 
But in Vere I found it not uncommon during the driest weather. 
Along the Milk River, as late as April, it still associated in little com- 
panies of three or four, which would rise with legs hanging and necks 
stretched to alight a few hundred yards further on, as the approach 
of the canoe disturbed them. I found the stomach of a bird shot 


6934 Birds, &c. 


immediately after, a specimen of Egretta candidissima, to contain 
precisely the same food, freshwater prawns. 

“Of that very common species, Herodias virescens, I have very 
little to add to your remarks, except that it perhaps is here unusually 
abundant, even little splashes in the pastures being tenanted. The 
tarsi are in proportion much shorter than with any of the above spe- 
cies, and it always prefers a sedgy, or at any rate grassy, margin. I 
have never observed it or Egretta cerulea or the great heron (Ardea 
Herodias) fishing in the open pools of the river-shingle. May we 
not ask whether the total absence of colour in the snow-white egrets 
may not better fit them to watch for prey with success in such clear 
transparent shallows than the darker plumage of the other species ? 
And there seems another reason why we may conclude it is of some 
very absolute service to the bird, as it seems very greatly to increase 
its danger during its motionless occupation. I have often been sur- 
prised at how great a distance they were visible at their posts down 
the river-margins, a distance at which it would have been extremely 
difficult to detect the far larger Ardea Herodias. Ardeola exilis 
is extremely common, but about the jungle of the swamps only ; 
I have never seen it on the Wag Water. 


“'W. Osbourn. 
“ To P. H. Gosse, Esq.” 


A Sea Serpent in the Bermudas.—I beg to send you the following account of a 
_ strange sea-monster captured on these shores, the animal being, in fact, no less than 
the great sea serpent which was described as having been seen by Captain M‘Quhae, 
of H.M.S. ‘ Dedalus,’ a few years since. Two gentlemen named Trimingham were 
walking along the shore of Hungary Bay, in Hamilton Island, on Sunday last, about 
eleven o’clock, when they were attracted by a loud rushing noise in the water, and, on 
reaching the spot, they found a huge sea-monster, which had thrown itself on the low 
rocks, and was dying from exhaustion in its efforts to regain the water. They 
attacked it with large forks which were lying near at hand for gathering in sea-weed, 
and unfortunately mauled it much, but securedit. This reptile was sixteen feet seven 
inches in length, tapering from head to tail like a snake, the body being a flattish oval 
shape, the greatest depth at about a third of its length from the head being eleven 
inches. The colour was bright and silvery ; the skin destitute of scales, but rough and 
warty; the head in shape is not unlike that of a bulldog, but it is destitute of teeth ; 
the eyes were large, flat, and extremely brilliant ; it had small pectoral fins and minute 
ventral fins, and large gills. ‘There were a series of fins running along the back, 
composed of short, slender rays, united by a transparent membrane, at the interval of 
something less than an inch from each other. The creature had no bone, but a carti- 
lage running through the body. Across the body at certain intervals were bands, 


| 


Entomological Society. 6935 


where the skin was of a more flexible nature, evidently intended fur the creature’s 
locomotion, screw-like, through the water. But its most remarkable feature was 
a series of eight lovg thin spines of a bright red colour springing from the top of the 
head and following each other at an interval of about one inch ; the lungest was in the 
centre: it is now in the possession of Colonel Munro, the acting governor of the 
the colony; and I had the opportunity of examining it very closely. It is two feet 
seven inches long, about three-eighths of an inch in circumference at the base, and 
gradually tapering, but flattened at the extreme end, like the blade of an oar. The 
shell of these spines is hard, and, on examination by a powerful glass, appeared to be 
double, some red colouring matter being between the shells; the outside, which to the 
touch and natural eye was smooth, being rough and much similar to the small claws 
or feelers of the lobster or crayfish. The centre was a white pith, like an ordinary 
quill. The three foremost of these spines were connected for about half their length 
by a greasy filament; the rest being unconnected, the serpent had the power of ele- 
vating or depressing this crest at pleasure.. ‘The serpent was carefully examined by 
several medical and scientific gentlemen ; the head, dorsal spine, and greater part of 
the crest are in the possession of J. M. Jones, Esq., an eminent naturalist, who will, 
doubtless, send home a more learned description of this “ wonder of the deep.” I 
regret that the immediate departure of the mail for England prevents my preparing 
you any more careful drawing of this “ great sea serpent” than that I enclose. 

[Written by Captain Hawtaigne, of Her Majesty’s 39th Foot. I place implicit 
reliance on the narrative, except as to the auimal being identical with that seen 
by Captain M‘Quhae, of which I think there is no evidence. Mr. J. M. Jones is an 
old subscriber to ihe ‘ Zoologist,’ and a most intelligent naturalist; but the query 
occurs to me, “Is not this sea serpent a ribband fish ?”— £. N.] 


Proceedings of Societies. 


ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. — 


Anniversary Meeting, January 23, 1860.—H. T. Sratnron, Esq., F.L.S., Vice- 
President, in the chair. 

The Chairman read a letter from the President of the Society, Dr. Gray, stating 
his absence was caused by indisposition. 

Messrs. J. W. Douglas, W. W. Saunders, F. Walker and J. O. Westwood were 
elected Members of the Council, in the room of Messrs. J. S. Baly, F. P. Pascoe, 
F. Smith and G. R. Waterhouse. 

J. W. Douglas, Esq., was elected President; S. Stevens, Esq., Treasurer; and 
Messrs. Edwin Shepherd and Edward W. Janson, Secretaries. 

The Chairman delivered an address on the present state and future prospects 
of the Society and Entomology, four which the Meeting passed a cordial vote of 
thanks. 

Mr. Saunders, one of the Auditors of the Treasurer’s accounts, read an abstract 
thereof, and congratulated the Meeting on the favourable state of the Society’s 

_ finances. 

The Report of the Library and Cabinet Committee, adopted by the Council as its 

Report to the Society, was read and received. 


6936 Entomological Society. 


A vote of thanks was passed to Dr. J. E. Gray, the retiring President, for his 
services to the Society during his period of office. 
A vote of thanks was also passed to the retiring Members of the Council. 


February 6, 1860.—J. W. Dovetas, Esq., President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors:—‘ The Zoologist’ for February; presented by the Editor. ‘ Notes on the 
Silkworms of India,’ by Capt. Thomas Hutton; by the Author. ‘Synopsis of the 
known Asiatic Species of Silk-producing Moths, with Descriptions of some New 
Species from India, by Frederic Moore, Assist. Museum India House; by the 
Author. ‘Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung,’ 1859, Nos. 10—12; by the Entomolo- 
gical Society of Stettin. ‘The. Journal of the Society of Arts’ for January; by the 
Society. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for January; by the Editor. ‘Farm Insects,’ 
Part 8; by the Author, John Curtis, Esq., F.L.S. ‘Nouveau Guide de Amateur 
d’Insectes, par plusieurs Membres de la Société Entomologique de France’; by H.'T. 
Stainton, Esq. ‘An Address delivered at the Anniversary Meeting of the Entomo- 
logical Society of London, on Monday, January 23, 1860’; by H. T. Stainton, Esq. 
‘Notice of the Presentation of the Hope Collections to the University of Oxford’; by 
J.O. Westwood, Esq., M.A., &c. 


Election of a Subscriber. 


Arthur E. Crafter, Esq., of Tokenhouse Yard, was balloted for and elected a 
Subscriber to the Society. . 


Exhibitions. 


Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited two fine Orthoptera, a Phasma from New South 
Wales, and a Gryllus from Peru, both insects being entirely covered with diverging 
spines. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited specimens of a species of Coccyx allied to C. strobilana, 
Linn., but much larger; he had recently bred them from cones of Conus Benthammiana, 
received from California. 

Mr. Waterhouse exhibited specimens of a species of Bembidium, which he stated 
he had had in his collection for many years separated as a distinct species, but hitherto 
had been unable to identify with any description. The insect in question greatly 
resembles the Leja lampros of our collections, but differs in being shorter and 
broader, and in having the antenne entirely black; the legs, moreover, are entirely 
black, or with a mere indistinct trace of rufo-piceous in the tibia; the head is broader 
than that of L. lampvros, the frontal ridge relatively much broader, and the lateral sulci 
less strong; the thorax is broader and relatively shorter, less contracted behind, the 
sides more strongly rounded, and here the rounded outline is continued almost to the 
posterior angle. In B. lampros the side is distinctly sinuated at a greater distance 
above the angle, and the angle thus becomes prominent and somewhat acute, whereas 
in the insect exhibited the angle is a right angle; the transverse depression on the 
back of the thorax is less strongly marked, and the lateral fovee are smaller; the 
elytra are shurter, more ovate, and more convex; the strie scarcely differ, excepting 
that the punctures are a little less strong. 


Entomological Society. 6937 


Mr. Waterhouse has no note of the locality of the original specimens of his 
collection: he had recently seen the insect in a box of Coleoptera sent by Mr. J. 
C. Dale to be named, and he had procured two other specimens from a collection 
which formerly belonged to Mr. Walker, of Mansfield. 

Upon a former occasion, in attempting to identify this insect with descriptions, 
he had considered the account given by Gyllenhal of the colour of the legs in 
his B. nigricornis was such as to preclude the identification of the present insect with 
Gyllenhal’s; but considering that in other respects the description in the ‘ Insecta 
Suecica’ agrees with the insect exhibited, he was now inclined to apply the name 
“ nigricornis ” to the species, and to suppose that the discrepancy was more apparent 
than real as regards the colour of the legs. 

Mr. Janson exhibited five species of Coleoptera not hitherto recorded as inhabit- 
ants of Britain, and made the following remarks concerning them : — 

Quedius truncicola, Fairmaire, Faune Ent. Frang. i. 538, 14 (1856). Nearly 
allied to Q. fulgidus, F., and bearing a very close resemblance to Erichson’s var. 3 
(“‘ niger, pedibus piceis, abdomine rufo-brunneo basi nigricante ”), but from which it 
may be distinguished by its punctured scutellum. I captured the two specimens 
exhibited, the only individuals I have yet seen, under bark of elm; one near Totten- 
ham, on the 29th October, 1848, the other near Hampstead about a fortnight since. 
In the first of these the punctures on the scutellum are so few and ill defined as to be 
scarcely perceptible. 

Haploglossa rufipennis, Kraatz, Naturgesch. d. Ins. Deutschl. ii. 81, 3 (1856). 
Distinguished from its near ally, H. pulla, Gyll. Eric. Kraatz, by its more parallel 
form, closer and much finer punctuation, and the colour of the elytra, which are red, 
with a dark patch in the region of the scutellum, and at the outer posterior angles. 
Found by Mr. Wollaston in sand-pits on Reigate Common, on the 26th June, 1857, 
and by myself in brushing in the same place on the 6th July, 1859. 

Cryphalus Fagi, Fab. A single individual taken by myself, at Hampstead, on the 
31st July, 1859, amongst the refuse of a stack of faggots. The narrow subcylindrical 
form, long elytra, prominent tubercles or processes on the anterior portion of the tho- 
rax, and red legs and antenne, distinguish this species. Mr. Gorham informs me 
that he has recently found some numbers of a Cryphalus in bark of beech, at Wester- 
ham, Kent, and which will probably prove to be specifically identical with the 


example now before the meeting. 


Cryphalus Abietis, Ratzeb. Two specimens given me by the Rev. A. H. 
Matthews, by whom they were taken from bark of firs, in the vicinity of his residence 
at Gumley, Leicestershire. Distinguished by the tubercles on the anterior portion of 
the thorax being few in number and irregular in their distribution (not in concentric 
rows), the regular striz of punctures and the short pubescence of the elytra. The 
legs and antennz are red; the club of the latter pitchy black. 

Anthicus bimaculatus, Illiger, Schmidt, de Laferté, var. 8. A single example, given 
me by Mr. Joseph Chappell, of Pendleton, near Manchester, by whom it was sent up 
to me, together with a number of other Coleoptera for determination, and who in- 
forms me that it was taken during the past summer on the Lancashire coast. Readily 


distinguished from all the species of the genus yet ascertained as indigenous to 
_ Britain, by its large size, pallid hue and obovate convex elytra. The normal form, 
that first described by Illiger, has a triangular black dorsal spot on each elytron a 


i little behind the middle, but of this in the specimen exhibited there exists scarcely any 


XVIII. U 


6938 Entomological Society. 


indication. M. de Laferté, Monogr. des Anthicites, 149 (1848), remarks “ that the 
individuals from the shores of the ocean are generally paler than those from the 
eastern countries of Europe, and that those from the coasts of France and Belgium 
are entirely destitute of the discoidal spot.” 

Mr. Janson also exhibited the following rare species :— 

Philonthus fuscus, Grav. Taken by himself in a boletus on an ash, near Hornsey, 
Middlesex, on the 19th ultimo. 

Deilantise cylindricus, Panz., Eric.. Found by Turner about ten days since, in 
bark of oak in the New Forest, near Brockenhurst. 

Tomicus monographus, F. The male, apparently very rare, conspicuous by having 
the anterior margin of the thorax triangularly produced with the apex recurved ; 
found by Turner at the same time and under the same circumstances as the foregoing. 
Erichson (Naturgesch. d. Ins. Deutsch]. iii. 284, 1845), adds to his description of 
Oxylaemus cylindricus: “In oaks, rare. Found by Professor Ratzeburg and myself 
in the burrows of Bostrichus monographus.” —_It is therefore interesting to find the 
two species associated in this country. 

Platydema violaceum, F. Likewise taken by Turner, under bark of oaks, at the 
same time and in the same locality as the two preceding. 

The President remarked that he had hiuwself taken Philonthus fuscus, under 
bark of trees infested by the larve of Cossus ligniperda, and Mr. Shepherd stated that 
he also had met with this species in similar situations. 

Mr, Sealy exhibited a beautiful series of varieties of Colias Edusa, including the 
white female variety (Helice, Hub.), and examples forming links from it to the typical 
insect: also a specimen of Sphinx Pinastri, said to have been captured by a young 
entomologist whilst flying about a fir-tree at Romsey, Hants. 

The President remarked that, with the exception of the specimens said to have 
been received by the late Dr. Leach many years ago from the neighbourhood of 
Edinburgh, there was no record of the capture of this species in Britain, although so 
abundant in many parts of Europe; he inquired of Mr. Sealy whether there was any 
likelihood of the specimen exhibited being a foreign example which had been 
inadvertently placed amongst insects from the locality mentioned. 

Mr. Sealy replied that the reputed captor had some time previously visited 
Switzerland, and there taken a few insects, but he was assured that the S. Pinastri 
was not one of the Swiss captures; moreover, he (Mr. Sealy) believed that country 
was not a locality for S. Pinastri. 

Mr. Stainton observed that Mr. Sealy was mistaken, as the insect is well known 
in Switzerland; it was, however, only fair to state that from his knowledge of 
the habits of S. Pinastri on the Continent, he considered the neighbourhood of Rom- 
sey a very likely spot for the occurrence of this species. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited specimens of four species of Lomaptera sent from Batchian 
by Mr. A. R. Wallace ; he also communicated the following by Mr. A. R. Wallace :— 


Note on the Sexual Differences in the Genus Lomaptera. 


“‘ Lacordaire says in his ‘Genera’ that the Lomaptere offer no sexual distinctions, 
except slight variations in the legs; and in the generic character he adds ‘ the fore 
legs are three-tuothed in both sexes or in the females only. In four species of the 
genus which I have recently taken in the Gilolo group of islands, I have, however, 
observed very strongly marked sexual differences, and I have had the good fortune to 


Entomological Society. 6939 


confirm them by capturing pairs of two species in copuld. These differences are as 
follows :— 

“Ist. The males have always a distinct longitudinal furrow or depression on the 
under side of the abdomen, which in the females is quite smooth or rounded. 

“2nd. The males have one tooth less than the females on the outside of the ante- 
rior tibiz. In the two larger species the males have two and the females three teeth ; 
in the two smaller species the males have but one (terminal) tooth, the females two 
teeth. 

“3rd. The pygidium in the males is simple, with the extremity somewhat obtuse. 
In the females it terminates in a sharp reflexed edge, and in the two smaller species is 
swollen and compressed above and very concave beneath, while in the males it 
is a simple ovate cone equally rounded above and below. 

“Tt is probable that these characters exist in all the species of the genus, and may 
enable persons possessing series of Lomaptere to pair their specimens. I may here 
remark that the species of this genus are very closely allied, and at the same time very 
limited in their range. In Ternate and Gilolo, and in Kaioa and Batchian,—islands 
only ten or fifteen miles apart,—are found distinct but closely allied species, differing 
so slightly (although constantly) that they would be infallibly considered as very 
trifling varieties, if single specimens of each only were examiued. Differences 
of colour exist in specimens from the same locality ; while minute differences of form 
and sculpture mark these representative species of adjoining islands.” 


Mr. Gloyne read descriptions of some new species of Lema. 

Mr. Stainton read ‘ Descriptions of South-African Tineina collected by R. Trimen, 
Esq., in 1858—59.’ : 

Mr, Tegetmeier announced the death, on the 31st ult., of Dr. Edward Bevan, of 
Hereford, one of the original Members of this Society, and author of that well-known 
work, ‘ The Honey Bee,’ at the advanced age of 80 years. 


March 5, 1860.—J. W. Dove as, Esq., President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors :—‘ The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Vol. xx. 
Part 2; presented by the Society. ‘Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,’ No. 99 ; 
by the Society, ‘ Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,’ Vol. iv. No. 16; 
by the Society. ‘The Zoologist,’ for March; by the Editor. ‘Saggio di Ditterlogia 
Messicana, di Luigi Bellardi, Professore di Storia Naturale, Part 1; by the Author, 
‘Mémoires de la Société de Physique et d’Histoire Naturelle de Genéve,’ Tome xv. 
Ire Partie ; by the Society. ‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ for February; by 
the Society. ‘ The Literary Gazette’ for February ; by the Editor. ‘ The Atheneum’ 
for February ; by the Editor. ‘ The Entomologists’ Weekly Intelligencer,’ Nos. 171— 
179, inclusive; by- the Editor, H. T. Stainton, Esq. ‘Stettiner Entomologische 
Zeitung, 1860, Nos. 1—3; by the Entomological Society of Stettin. 


6940 Entomological Society. 


Election of Members. 


Dr. Schaum and Mons. Leon Dufour were elected Honorary Members, and Mons. 
J. Bigot, Vice-President of the Entomological Society of France, of Rue de Luxem- 
bourg, Paris, an ordinary Member of the Society. 


Exhibitions. 


Mr. Stevens exhibited a large box of Coleoptera sent from Batchian by 
Mr. A. R. Wallace; it contained a vast number of new species, some beautiful 
Buprestide, &c. 

Mr. Janson exhibited a box of Coleoptera he had just received from Mr. C. 
Turner, collected by him during the last few weeks at Rannoch, Perthshire, 
and remarked that no less than four of the species were not comprised in Mr. Mur- 
ray’s ‘ Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Scotland,’ viz., Xyloterus domesticus, Linn., 
Tomicus acuminatus, Gy/l., Cis Alni, Gyll., and Bradycellus placidus, Gy/U. 

Mr. Dunning exhibited a singular pale Noctua, which had been pronounced by 
Mr. H. Doubleday to be a variety of Mamestra anceps. 

Mr. Dunning also read a letter addressed to him by C. Maurice, Esq., respecting 
the specimen of Sphinx Pinastri exhibited by Mr. Sealy at the last Meeting of the 
Society, in which the writer asserted positively that the insect in question was caught 
by him at Romsey, as then stated by Mr. Sealy. 

The Secretary also read a letter addressed to Mr. Sealy by S. H. Maurice, Esq., 
brother of the before-named gentleman, who had, as mentioned at the February Meeting, 
taken some moths in Switzerland during the past summer: in this letter the writer 
states that he feels certain the moth in question was not one of his Swiss captures, but 
was caught by his brother at Romsey, after his return from Switzerland. 

Mr. Westwood made some observations on the usefulness of labelling insects at the 
time of capture, by which such instances of disputed identity as the present were 
avoided; he objected to the plan of employing a number referring to a note-book as 
commonly in use, as, in the event of dispersion of a collection on the death of 
the owner, such numbers became useless to all but the possessor of the note-book, and 
indeed instances had come under his notice in which the said book had been lost. He 
- had always employed in his collection tickets bearing an abbreviation of the locality, 
as Cb. W. for Coombe Wood. 

The President feared that Mr. Westwood’s plan of abbreviations would be rather 
perplexing to any vue but himself, unless accompanied by an index, which would be 
open to the same objections as the note-books which he had just condemned. 

Some conversation ensued on the claims of Sphinx Pinastri to be considered 
a British species; during which Mr. F. Walker reminded the Meeting that Mr. 
Thomas Marshall, well known to many Members present as one of our most accurate 
observers, had himself seen this insect alive in Cumberland, and had recorded the fact 
in the ‘ Entomologist’ some years ago. 

Dr. Wallace exhibited two examples of Acosmetia caliginosa, taken by Mr. Grim- 
stead in a wood near Ryde, Isle of Wight: he observed that the species had hitherto 
only been captured in this country in the New Forest. 


The Secretary read the following paper by Mr. G. Wailes, of Newcastle :— 


Entomological Society. 6941 


The Hybernation of Vespa vulgaris. 


“Tt is very evident that we have a great deal yet to learn about the social wasps, 
and therefore the following remarks as to Vespa vulgaris may be interesting. Ever 
since 1829 I have, at intervals, searched the summit of Skiddaw (3022 feet) for speci~ 
mens of Leistus montanus, and on every occasion have taken out from underneath the 
loose fragments of the slate perfectly torpid females of this wasp, with the wings, legs, 
antenne, &c., precisely in the state in which we find them during winter in the lower 
lands. Not unfrequently I have met with dead specimens which seemed to have 
perished in the same dormant state, and been there for a year or two at least. 
Mr. Smith, in his ‘ Catalogne of the British Vespide,’ under this species, states that 
‘Mr. Wollaston found the female abundant under stones on the extreme summit of 
Gribon Oernant, near Llangollen, in September, 1854,’ adding ‘ probably hybernating 
for the winter,’ but had evidently forgotten my writing him on the same subject. My 
visits to the mountain have extended from the latter end of June to the latter end of 
August, and therefore it necessarily follows either that these specimens of the female 
wasp were those of the previous year, or that this sex appears much earlier in the sea- 
son than has been hitherto supposed. But in either case, the question arises why are 
they torpid during these the hottest months of the year?  [t is quite true that the 
temperature at the altitude is below that of the plains, especially during the night, and 
I have myself been enveloped in falling sleet and snow more than once, both in June 
and August, though as a rule the Cumberland mountains seldom have a thick covering 
of snow, and often only a few inches once or twice ina winter. Still, the temperature of 
ordinary mountains always approaches that of the plains in suminer, and one would 
have expected was in Britain at least sufficiently high to rouse these wasps in their 
winter quarters, when every other insect under the same stones was active and 
stirring, and the air so warm and bright that Larentia salicata and Crambus furca- 
tillus were sporting in the mid-day sun above them. Such, however, was not the case, 
and when turned out of their snug, dry quarters, they allowed themselves to be 
handled and put into pill-boxes just as they do in winter. We may therefore ask, 
when are these sleepers to awake ? for as the ground temperature reaches its maximum 
during the months in which I have met with them, and Mr. Wollaston has found 
them in a similar state in September, when a declining temperature has set in, 
we must conclude that for that year all prospect of their subsequent issue from their 
retreats through the influence of heat is barred. Can this be called hybernation as it 
is usually understood? Or is there some other cause of torpidity besides mere cold ? 
Or are we to conclude that when once put to sleep in these lofty regions they wake no 
more unless kindly removed into a milder clime by a stray entomologist, when, as I 
have always noticed, they become as active as those of the warm lowlands? 

“‘T have searched in vain for the record of similar facts in other parts of Europe, 
where, doubtless, the same circumstances occur, and therefore I send this note to the 
Society with the hope of calling the attention of others to the subject.” 


Mr. Westwood considered that these female wasps had been the founders of 
colonies in the preceding spring, and after performing their maternal duties, had 
retired to die in the situations in which they were found by Mr. Wailes. 


6942 Entomological Society. 


Mr. H. W. Bates communicated the following 


Diagnoses of three New Species of Diurnal Lepidoptera belonging to the Genus 
Agrias, and of one belonging to Siderone. 


“Wishing to dedicate one of the grandest new species of Agrias (a genus which 
he has done so much to illustrate) to Mr. W. C. Hewitson, I send the diagnosis for 
insertion in the ‘ Report of the Proceedings of the Entomological Society ’ for March, 
preparatory to the figures which Mr. Hewitson will publish in the April part of his 
‘Exotic Butterflies. I add the diagnoses of two other new species which will be 
figured on the same plate, as well as of a species of Siderone, intended to be figured at 
some subsequent early date. All four species were taken by myself on the Upper 
Amazons, and belong to the most beautiful productions of that wonderful country. 
The discovery of the female of one of the species makes the present communication of 
some importance in a scientific point of view; as the non-appearance of females with - 
the usual Nymphalideous structure of the fore legs in that sex, in the genera Agrias 
and Megistanis, seems to have excited doubts as to the constancy of that sexual cha- 
racter throughout the whole family, especially as two forms of males have occurred in 
some species having the usual superficial appearance of the two sexes (e. g. in Megis- 
tanis Bzotus). But the discovery of the females in the allied genus Agrias shows 
that the sexual character in the fore legs is precisely of the same nature here as in the 
rest of the family Nymphalide. The four species now characterized will be included 
in the ‘Insect Fauna of the Amazon Valley, Part Diurnal Lepidoptera, now 
preparing for publication. 


“ Acrias HEwITSONIUS. 


“ $. Size of A. Phalcidon (Hewits. Ex. B.) Above. Black. Fore wing having 
at the base a large orange-coloured spot, rounded on its outer edge; followed bya 
broad belt of dark blue, extending from the costa to very near the hind margin; 
edged externally by a belt of six pale greenish Junules. Near the apex is a short helt 
of three dusky white lunules. Hind wings with a large subtriangular spot on the disk, 
occupying about half the surface, of the same blue colour as the fore wing. 

“ Beneath. Fore wing has an orange-coloured spot similar to the one on the upper 
side; the apex is of a pale greenish gray; the intermediate part of a dull black. 
Hind wing: the base to nearly the middle orange, the outer edge of the patch deeply 
sinuated in the middle. Rest of the wing pale greenish gray; a submarginal line, a 
central strongly curved macular belt, interrupted at the first median nervule; two 
short ones across the disk, and two spots in the middle of the cell, black. Between 
the central and submarginal belts is a row of seven large, equal, black ocelli, having | 
white pupils (double in the anal one) and shining blue irides. Body above rufous- 
brown. Antenne black. The female is considerably larger and less brilliant in 
colour, having also less blue colour on the disk of the hind wing. 

‘TI took four specimens of this distinct species, at Ega, one male and three 
females. It is a very bold and rapid flyer, similar to the Prepone and the Apature of 
the old world. It is attracted, as well as one of the following species, by the sugary 
sap exuding from certain trees in the forest, where I have seen it feeding amongst a 
group of Incas and Cetoniadz. 


Entomological Society. 6943 


“ AGRIAS PERICLES. 


“ @. Very similar in size and outline to A. Phalcidon. The hind wing, both 
above and beneath, offers not the slightest difference; the fore wing differs as 
follows: — Above. Fore wing black: the basal portion, to about two-thirds the 
length, occupied by a large spot of a beautiful scarlet colour inclining to orange. 

- This is followed by an oblique belt of five elongated spots of a metallic-green colour, 
edged on the inner sides with brilliant dark blue. Towards the apex is a narrow belt 
composed of four small cream-coloured spots. 

“T took one individual only of this species, in company with A. Phalcidon, 
at Villa Nova, in 1854. The specimen has travelled with me from place to place on 
the Upper Amazons for five years. I have considered it hitherto only an extraordinary 
variety of A. Phalcidon, but on further experience of the singular way in which spe- 
cies of this genus and of Catagramma differ from each other, I now prefer to consider 
it distinct. A. Phalcidon was not uncommon at Villa Nova, although I saw not a 
trace of it at any other locality. It flies high, and I never saw it descend towards the 
ground. It settled on leaves of trees about fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, in 
the broad alleys of the glorious forest at that locality, and could only be captured by 
attaching a long pole to the bag-net. 


© Aarias SARDANAPALUS. 


“3. In size and shape of wings very similar to A. Claudius, of Rio Janeiro. 
The under surface of the wings does not differ in any way from that species: above, 
the colouration is very different. Fore wing black; the basal portion having a large 
triangular spot (occupying about three-fourths the surface of the wing) of a rich car- 
mine colour, glossed with cobalt-blue, in certain lights. This is followed by a belt of 
the most beautiful blue colour, leaving only the apex and a narrow outer margin 
black, the former of which has a short belt of three large indistinct pale spots. 
Hind wing has the base and the margins narrowly black; the disk entirely of the 
same rich blue as the belt across the fore wing. 

“TI took two of this very richly coloured species, one at Ega and one at St. 
Paulo: one of them is in the collection of Mr. W. C. Hewitson and one in my 
own. I saw only four individuals during four years’ residence and travel on the 
Upper Amazons. — 


*“ SmIpERONE Mars. 


“4. Considerably less in size than 8. Ide. The fore wing has the apex more 
more falcate than in that species; the outer margin much more strongly rounded, 
leaving the hinder angle indistinct; the hind wing also is shorter. 

| “ Above. Deep black, with two clear white spots near the apex. A large oblique 

_ belt of carmine crosses the wing from the costal edge to near the hind angle ; its cos- 

| tal part dilated towards the extreme base of the wing. Hind wing black Two con- 

| spicuous rounded red spots near the middle of the costal edge. Anal lobe gray. 

“ Beneath. The base and apex of both wings are of a rich rufous-brown. The 

, discal portion is glossy brownish gray, irrorated nearly throughout with rufous-brown. 
The hind wing has a broad belt across the middle, of a shining ash-colour, spotless. 
The apex of the fore wing has a belt of white and lilac-coloured spots. 


6944 Insects. 


“*T only saw one individual of this species, at St. Paulo, near the frontier of Peru. 
Like all the other species of Siderone and Paphia, it has the rapid flight of the typical 
Nymphales, and, like them, not easily scared when reposing, pertinaciously returning 
to the same spot after being driven away. Its near relative, Siderone Ide, so common 
in the West Indian Islands and Guiana, also occurs in the country, but is very 
Tale.” 


The Secretary read the first part of a paper by Mr. H. W. Bates, intituled ‘ Con- 
tributions to an Insect Fauna of the Amazon Vailley.”—£. S. 


Food-plant of Eupithecta pallidaria.—TI posess specimens of this insect bred from 
larve found in Kent, by Mr. Gorham, on Solidago Virgaurea. I think this is the 
first instance of its having been bred, though I believe that the Rev. Mr. Crewe has 
it now in pupa.—R. M‘Lachlan ; Forest Hill, March 6, 1860. 

Larve of Eupithecie desired.— If any of the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ can send 
me, during the ensuing season, larve of Eupithecia rectangulata, or eggs of the fol- 
lowing species — E. pulchellata, E. pumilata, E. pernotata, E. pygmeata, E. plum- 
beolata, E. pusillata, E. consignata, E. constrictata, E. helveticata, E. viminata, E. 
subciliata, E. irriguata, E. togata, E. indigata, E. debiliata, E. egenata, E. succentu- 
riata (not subfulvata), or Collix sparsata —I shall feel deeply indebted to them, and 
will endeavour to make them any return in my power.—H.. Harpur Crewe; Wickham 
Market, Suffolk, March 6, 1860. 

Entomological Terms.— In compliance with the wish of my friend the Rev. Mr. 
Pickard-Cambridge, I offer a few brief observations on the subject of the entomologi- 
cal terms alluded to by him (Zool. 6893) ; I fear, however, that I do not possess suf- 
ficiently clear powers of definition to throw much light on the subject, and that I have 
so often myself, when using them, been guilty of laxity and want of uniformity that 
my authority is worth nothing. I should wish to see a far more accurate and 
methodical pen than my own engaged in the task, for instance that of my friend 
Mr. A. G. More. With regard to the terms “ very common,” ‘‘ common,” “ frequent,” 
“not rare,” “occasional,” “rare,” “ very rare,” it would be alike presumptuous and 
superfluous in me to add a single word to Mr. Pickard-Cambridge’s definition, which 
are as perfect as they are complete. I therefore proceed to some of the other terms 
subsequently alluded to by him, giving my own private interpretation thereof. As 
this is very likely quite erroneous, I hope none of your readers will be sparing in their 
criticisms. I begin, then, as follows: — Tribe, the grand primary division compre- 
hending all the others, and giving a general idea of the thing designated ; example, 
insect. Order, a collection of numerous widely-differing groups, but yet possessing 
certain peculiar characteristics common to all; example, Lepidoptera. Class or 
group, a collection of families possessing very similar characteristics ; example, Bom- 
bycina. Family, a collection of various closely-allied genera; example, Notodontide. 
Genus, a collection of very closely-allied species; example, Notodonta. Sub-genus, 
one possessing the main characteristics of the genus, but yet, in the opinion of some 
authorities, sufficiently distinguishing peculiarities to warrant its being separated from 
it; example, Drymonia. Species, each of the one or more distinct individuals which 
make up the genus or sub-genus; examples, dromedarius, dodonea. Variety, a 


Radiata. 6945 


frequent yet abnormal aberration from the typical characteristics of the species, not 
confined to any peculiar soil or locality ; example, Miana strigilis, Zin., var. Authiops, 
Haw. Permanent variety or race, a variety confined to particular localities, and here- 
ditary in all its distinguishing peculiarities; example, Noctua conflua, 77., and 
Lycena Artaxerxes, Fab., which by many entomologists (of whom I am not one) are 
considered more northern varieties of N. festiva, W.V., L. Agestis, W.V.  Lusus or 
sport, an unusual and extraordinary divergence in colour and markings from the 
typical characteristics of the species ; example, a black specimen of Chelonia caja or 
C. villica, Linn. I am almost ashamed to offer these defective and inaccurate defini- 
tions to your readers; but, as L said before, I hope no one will hesitate to set me right 
wherever he thinks I am wrong. One word in conclusion, respecting the term “ race” 
or “ permanent variety,” which has lately become socommon. The opinion which I 
expressed (Zool. 6247) has in no way altered. As far as Lepidoptera are concerned 
I do not believe in the existence of these “ permanent varieties.” I have never heard, 
read or seen anything which convinced me; and I think the conclusion rests upon 
most insufficient evidence. We heard a great deal, some two years since, about T. 
crepuscularia, W. V. (laricaria, Doub. Cat. 1st ed.) being a race of T. biundularia, Esp. 
(crepuscularia, Doub. Cat. 1st ed.), and M. rivata, Hub., a mere permanent variety of 
M. subtristata, Haw. (alchemillaria, Doub. Cat. Ist. ed.) ; but the whole four species 
have been carefully bred from the egg during the past season, and proved to be indu- 
bitably distinct ; and I believe that the further and closer experiments are carried the 
more plainly will the theory be shown to be fallacious.—Id. 


On the Transverse Fission of Atptasia Couchii. — Mr. F. N. Broderick’s commu- 
nication to Mr. Gosse on the transverse fission of Aiptasia Couchii (Zool. 6911) is of 
very great interest, and, I believe, the first recorded notice of that mode of increase in 
the Actiniade. In his‘ Actinologia Britannica’ Mr. Gosse has properly placed this 
animal between Sagartia and Anthea, genera in which fissiparous reproduction is fre- 
quent, although after different fashions. In Anthea the fission is vertical, separating 
the polype into two distinct halves, each possessing its share of fully-developed inter- 
nal and external organs; fissiparous increase in Sagartia, ov the contrary, consists of 
the detachment of little ragged bits, only from the base of the animal, and may be 
considered as an irregular mode of budding, since the separated parts at first contain 
no specialised structure, but only the vital power requisite for its development. The 
division in Aiptasia partakes of the character of both these forms of increase, like that 
in Sagartia from taking place only at the base, and Anthea-like in being a complete 
section of the body, although a transverse one; each portion also being to a certain 
extent complete in itself. With regard to the mode of increase of Aiptasia in the 
Zoological Society’s collection, I think Mr. Broderick must have been misinformed, 
perhaps by some one who was locum tenens for the regular attendant during the 
important hour of dinner. There are now three specimens of this polype in one of the - 
centre tanks, the two smaller examples being the produce of the other, and, as Ten- 
nent, the keeper, has often told me, the result of transverse fission. The first young 
one was so small and well-proportioned that I could hardly believe it had been pro- 
duced in any other than the usual manner ; but the second had a very different shape. 
It appeared last August, and when three days old the body was very short and thick, 


XVITI. x 


6946 Notices of New Books. 


and I could observe traces of budding tentacles at its upper margin. The three 
polypes now only differ from one another in size. Since the keeper first called my 
attention to this transverse fission we have frequently discussed the subject, and my 
scepticism has been gradually diminishing ; now, Mr. Broderick’s interesting observa- 
tions, of course, are conclusive on the point.—Z. W. H. Holdsworth ; 26, Osnaburgh 
Street, March 7, 1860. 


Notices oF NEw Books. 


The ‘ Ibis, a Magazine of General Ornithology. Edited by PHILIP 
LutLrey Sciater, M.A. London: Triibner & Co. 1859. 
490 pp. Price 21s. 


THE first four numbers of the above ornithological magazine are 
now before us, and we have delayed our remarks upon it till the com- 
pletion of the first volume, partly from a desire to know whether it 
would continue to maintain the high tone of merit with which it began, 
before we lavished our commendations, which might have proved pre- 
mature ; and partly from a confident expectation, in which we have 
not been disappointed, that the fourth number might contain a preface, 
stating the origin and object and intention of the work. Now, how- 
ever, that the bark is fairly launched in the waves, and vol. i. of the 
‘Tbis,’ stands forth to sink or swim according tu its merits, we would 
devote a short space to a brief examination of it; and we do not 
hesitate to state at once that it has our unqualified praise, filling, as 
it does, just the gap which has so long existed in this country, but 
which has been ably supplied in Germany by Cabani’s ‘ Journal fiir 
Ornithologie, and Badeker’s ‘ Naumannia,’ vz., that of a sound and 
scientific periodical, devoted exclusively to Ornithology, and which 
we have little doubt the large and rapidly-increasing body of inquirers 
into that fascinating branch of the zoological kingdom will not only 
amply support but hail with considerable satisfaction. Neither have 
we any fear for ourselves that the ‘Ibis’ will in any degree interfere 
with the ‘ Zoologist ;’ for the whole intention and tone of the work is 
so distinct, and has such a very different aim, grasping, as it does, the 
Ornithology of the world, and dealing with matters quite irrelevant to 

-our pages, that we see no reason why the ‘ Ibis’ and the ‘ Zoologist’ 
should not go hand in hand, helping and supporting one another ; for 
while we willingly resign to the sacred ‘Ibis’ the deeper and more 
elaborate discussion of material too heavy and scientific for a popular 
magazine such as the ‘ Zoologist’ especially claims to be, we cannot 


Notices of New Books. 6947 


doubt that we shall still be the receptacle of those many interesting 
anecdotes and facts with reference to the feathered race, no less than 
in the other departments of the zoological world, which we have now for 
seventeen years been the vehicle of conveying to the public; and we have 
the greatest confidence that our contributions will not fall off in this 
respect, and that we have so far the good will of the promoters of the 
‘Ibis’ that they regard us with the same friendly feeling which we 
entertain towards them ; and so we are disposed to feel an Egyptian 
reverence for the “ religious fowl,” and hail its advent among us with 
delight. 

And now we proceed to state the origin of this new work, which we 
extract from the preface that its promoters may tell their own story in 
their own words. It seems that “for some years past a few gentlemen 
attached to the study of Ornithology, most of them more or less inti- 
mately connected with the University of Cambridge, had been in the 
habit of meeting together, once a year, or oftener, to exhibit to one 
another the various objects of interest which had occurred to them, 
and to talk over both former and future plans of adding to their know- 
ledge of this branch of Natural History. These meetings being entirely 
of a private and social nature, were found agreeable by those who 
attended them, and gradually became more frequented. In the autumn 
of 1857 the gathering of naturalists was greater than it had hitherto 
been, and it appeared that among some of those present there was a 
strong feeling that it would be advisable to establish a magazine 
devoted solely to Ornithology.” This feeling was distinctly stated not 
to have been “‘ prompted by any jealousy of periodicals already existing, 
but by the belief that the number of persons who turned their attention 
principally to this one branch of Zoology was at any rate sufficiently 
great to justify an experiment, which in a neighbouring country, and 
among a kindred nation, had succeeded so well.” The scheme 
suggested in 1857 was reconsidered and approved at the annual 
meeting at Cambridge, in November, 1858, when, “after due consider- 
ation, it was determined by those present that a Quarterly magazine 
of General Ornithology should be established, that a limited sub-. 
scription should be entered into to provide a fund for that purpose, 
and that the subscribers should form an ‘ Ornithological Union’ their 
number at present not to exceed twenty.” The names of these twenty 
valiant knights who take the Ibis for their standard, and are ready to 
do battle in defence of their ensign, are appended ; and it is but fair 
to add that they embrace some of the very best of our British orni- 
thologists, naturalists, moreover, of the field as well as of the closet, 


6948 Nolices of New Books. 


and who have pushed their investigations and learned their lessons in 
all parts of the world;— no carpet knights but knights errant in 
good truth, who have given proof in this first volume of their prowess 
and brilliant achievements from the icebound coasts of Spitzbergen, 
and the inhospitable snows of Lapland, to the burning shores of the 
Red Sea, and the tropical districts of Central America and the West 
Indies. 

To take a rapid glance at the contents of the volume before us, and 
beginning with Europe, we have a graphic account of the discovery of 
some nests of the black woodpecker (Picus martius) in Sweden, by Mr. 
Simpson ; admirable papers on the breeding of the smew (A/ergus 
albellus) and of the crane (Grus cinerea) in Lapland, by Mr. Wolley, 
of which more anon; and notes on the birds of Western Spitzbergen, 
by Messrs. Evans and Sturge. 

Passing on to Africa we are not surprised to find that continent 
more especially favoured by the devotees of the Ibis, and here we have 
papers on the feathered inhabitants of the Great Desert of the Sahara 
and of Northern Africa, generally from the truthful pen of the Rev. 
H. B. Tristram, who has passed several winters in those localities. 
Also a narrative of five months birds’-nesting in the Eastern Atlas, by 
the cosmopolitan, Mr. Q. Salvin ; Ornithological Reminiscences of 
Egypt, by Mr. Taylor; and Lists of Birds from Ibadan in Western 
Africa, and Natal in South Eastern Africa, by Mr. Gurney, than whom 
no one has a more general knowledge of birds, more particularly of 
the Raptorial order. 

The continent of Asia has hitherto been little noticed by contributors 
to the ‘ Ibis,’ Mr. Tristram’s paper on “ Birds observed in Southern 
Palestine,” and Mr. Gurney’s “ List of Birds of Prey from Beyrout,” 


comprising all from the East, though perhaps there is no field which ~ 


promises so rich a harvest to future explorers, which has been so little 
trodden hitherto, and which we trust to see taken in hand by some of 
the more adventurous members of the British Ornithologist’s Union 
than Asia generally, more especially the districts bordering on the 
Caspian, and the great kingdom of Tartary. 

Crossing the Atlantic, the Western Hemisphere is not without its 
investigators ; first and foremost we have the “Ornithology of Central 
America” by the excellent Editor (to whom we would pay a passing 
compliment on his success in nursing the infant ‘ Ibis’ through its 
first year, no slight task, the delicacy of the bird and our uncongenial 
climate considered), wherein he has been ably seconded by Mr. Salvin, 
who is now, for the second time, examining the Fauna of the Central 


Notices of New Books. 6949 


American isthmus. And again we have some very interesting and 
well-written notes on the birds of the West Indian island, St. Croix, 
by the brothers Messrs. A. and E. Newton, both well known and 
esteemed by the ‘ Zoologist,’ and both of whom have at different 
periods visited the island they describe, 

These are some of the principal contents of the volume, giving an 
insight into the Fauna of other countries, but they are interspersed with 
many another paper on kindred subjects, among which we hailed with 
delight contributions from the well-known pens of Mr. Eyton and Mr. 
Knox, and the not less valued pencils of Mr. Hewitson and Mr. Wolf, 
while the short account (with which each number concludes) of recent 
ornithological publications, abroad as well as at home, leaves nothing 
to be desired on this head, and amply fulfils the promise of the pre- 
face to “keep its readers acquainted with the progress of ornitho- 
logical science in all parts,of the globe.” 

There is yet another very able article which we cannot pass over, 
viz., a “ Review of Mr. Bree’s Birds of Europe not observed in the 
British Isles.” The reviewer begins his task in a business-like manner, 
and brings considerable ability and general ornithological knowledge 
of evidently a very high order to bear; but though we admire his 
masterly handling of his subject, and agree with him in the main, we 
could have wished a little less severity, and a little more deference to 
the opinions of others, than such dogmatic assertions and sweeping 
denunciations imply, more especially when the reviewer bears witness 
to much excellence in the book, and sums up several pages of severe 
censure by declaring that Mr. Bree deserves “a very high degree of 
praise.” 

We have now touched upon the general contents of the first volume 
of the ‘ Ibis,’ and we trust we have sufficiently pointed out its sweets 
to tempt those of our readers who have not already done so to taste 
and try for themselves. It is not our intention to follow the writers 
through their several articles, which would be to take an ornithological 
tour over the four quarters of the globe; neither where so many are 
deserving of praise would we particularize those papers chiefly worthy 
of merit, or institute comparisons which are generally odious; one 
exception, however, we must make, which can provoke no jealousy, 
when we specify the two very able articles of our highly valued, and 
now deeply lamented, correspondent, the late Mr. Wolley: his untimely 
death, for he was cut off in the very flower of his age, must have 
excited the bitter regret of all true naturalists, even if they did not 
enjoy his personal friendship ; for who that claims to have any sympathy 


6950 " Notices of New Books. 


for Ornithology can have been ignorant during the last few years of the 
name of John Wolley, so highly honoured not only in his native country, 
but in Europe, as one of the most indefatigable and successful explorers 
of the nesting of those birds which—seeking the highest Arctic latitudes 
—have baffled the hitherto cursory researches of former inquirers ; and 
who has been content to encounter, during several seasons, the rigours 
of an Arctic winter; fixing his abode in Lapland, on the confines of 
Finmark, for the express purpose of being on the spot for the nesting 
of the earliest breeders, before the snows had disappeared i in the spring, 

and communication with more southern latitudes was feasible? Truly, 
not only the members of the “ British Ornithologist’s Union,” but 
naturalists generally have sustained an irreparable loss in the death of 
one so zealous in the cause, and withal so acute an observer, so dili- 
gent in instituting inquiries, so painstaking in sifting information, so 
discriminating, so careful in admitting a doubtful point as a fact; above 
all, so accurate in apparent trifles, the thousand little points which 
constitute the very soul of all scientific inquiry, and are of such 
immense importance in arriving at truth, where less laborious research, 
and too rapid jumping to conclusions are so apt to mislead into a 
labyrinth of error, and propagate falsehood instead of facts. Now 
the two papers by Mr. Wolley in the ‘Ibis’ are admirable proofs of 
this accuracy and diligence, and we would point them out as espe- 
cially worthy of imitation, for in addition to their intrinsic value as 
records of the breeding of birds whose nidification was but little 
known, viz., the smew (Mergus albellus) and the crane (Grus cinerea), 
and over and above the intense interest wherewith Mr. Wolley has 
contrived to invest his plainly-told statements, there is such a spirit 
of truthful detail, such evident accuracy pervading each paper, that 
we may safely assert no one can rise from their perusal with a doubt 
on his mind that the author can have been deceived in any one par- 
ticular which he has stated: witness his remarkable caution, we had 
almost said unwillingness, to admit the eggs brought as those of the 
smew, and the several links of evidence he picked up, till a chain of 
proof was formed which left no room for suspicion: witness again 
his admirable patience and tactics, worthy of a field officer, in mastering 
by ocular proof all the details of the nesting of the crane. We would 
again call particular attention to this careful regard to the smallest 
minutiz in dealing with little-known facts and in pushing zoological 
inquiry, as of the last importance in helping to conclusions, and as 
worthy of all imitation ; though we know not where to look for an 
ornithologist so remarkable in these respects as Mr. Wolley, as 


Notices of New Books. 6951 


assuredly we must long look in vain for one whose mind will be so 
richly stored with Scandinavian Ornithology, which we had fondly 
hoped would have proved both to the ‘ Zoologist’ and the ‘ Ibis’ an 
inexhaustible mine for many years to come, but which will now we 
fear in a great measure, if not altogether be lost. 

But to return to the “ Ibis,” and to peck at her with little reason 
indeed, but in the snarling spirit in which critics are said to delight. 
We have heard the question repeatedly asked, and we have never 
heard a satisfactory answer, “‘ Why the ‘ Ibis’? ” and “‘ What could 
have induced British ornithologists to travel out of their way to Egypt 
for a title, and to assume as their symbol the bird long ago sacred to 
the worshippers of Isis, and whose name and figure at once and 
involuntarily lead the mind far away from Britain to the banks of the 
Nile?” We confess that we share these murmurs of discontent, and 
could have preferred the designation first suggested of “Aves” as more 
appropriate and more descriptive of the book ; for though the quibble 
is trifling, and it may be retorted “ What’s in a name?” and “A rose 
with any other name would smell as sweet,” we own to a decided pre- 
judice in favour of a good nomenclature, and vastly prefer the title 
which carries its meaning on its face. 

With the next grievance which we have heard mentioned we have 
no sympathy, and we repeat only to refute it; for though some think 
the price excessive, and the figure 6s. looks somewhat high on the 
cover, especially when the double number (No. 4) was marked 12s., 
yet if we take into account the quantity of matter promised, viz., an 
annual volume of about 400 pages, and above all the coloured eee 
to the number of at least twelve, we feel satisfied that subscribers of 
£1 1s. have no right to find fault, for they receive to the full amount 
of their subscription ; and for ourselves we would infinitely prefer a 
few really good plates (and there are some admirable ones in the 
volume before us) to any amount of ordinary ones, executed by less 
able artists. This year at any rate we can have no room for complaint, 
for the editor has more than kept faith with the public in giving 490 
pages in lieu of 400, and 15 plates instead of 12. 

We would only suggest two cautions, and we have done ; the first, 
that the ‘ Ibis’ be punctual in its periodical appearance, not deferring 
its arrival on the appointed day for any consideration, symptoms of 
which dilatory lagging we observed in No. 4; and again, that in 
aiming at a high standard it avoid too prosaic and didactic a tone, 
remembering that statistical facts may be dry and dull, and require 
lubrication, a judicious mixture of the dulce and utile, as that great 


6952 Botanical. 


master of human nature, Horace, suggests ; this, however, is a caution 
we give with considerable diffidence, for let us not be misunderstood 
to desire any dilution of the matter provided, nor in a purely scientific 
work would we sacrifice anything to mere popular reading; only let 
there be a careful and judicious arrangement of the material, and let 
it be conveyed in a pleasing form and in well-chosen language, 
minutie these often overlooked as of comparatively triflmg importance, 
and yet not to be disregarded even in the most abstruse and scientific 
disquisitions. 

With these friendly remarks we close our examination of the first 
volume of the ‘Ibis,’ heartily commending it to our readers, and 
trusting it will continue in the same masterly manner in which it has 
begun. AG 


BoTANIST’s CORNER. 


Question as to the Species of the British Cyclamen. — Botanical subjects do not 
usually appear in the ‘ Zoologist;’ but, being a Journal which I have long known and 
constantly read, I wish, if the indulgence may be allowed, to inquire through its pages 
what species of Cyclamen it is which in a few instances has been found wild in Eng- 
land, or whether we have more than one species? I believe that all our published 
Floras give it as C. hederifolium of Willdenow ; but it appears to me that nearly all 
of them, since Smith’s ‘ English Flora,’ have confounded Willdenow’s plant with 
C. neapolitanum of Prof. Tenore, — that whilst they quote the former as synonymous 
with theirs, their description is that of the latter. The two species are clearly distinct : 
in C. neapolitanum the mouth of the corolla is circled with projecting teeth, and its time 
of blossoming is the autumn ; C. hederifolium is without these dental appendages, and 
blossoms in the spring. The following localities are given in our Floras and other books : 
Bramfield, Suffolk, ona bank of wet clay ; Sandhurst, near Cranbrook, Kent ; Stockpole 
Court, Pembrokeshire ; alsosomewhere in Nottinghamshire, and in Sussex. Hitherto I 
have failed, by private inquiry and correspondence, to obtain the desired information, 
except that my friend James Atkins, the originator of the beautiful hybrid Cyclamen 
which bears his name, has informed me that he has received both leaves and flowers 
from the Stockpole Court locality, and that they are undoubtedly those of C. neapoli- 
tanum. I therefore hope that, through the readers of the ‘ Zoologist,’ some further 
light on the subject will be, sooner or later, obtained. If the time of blossoming at 
any place could be ascertained, that alone would be, I believe, sufficient to determine 
the species for that locality, whilst other localities may produce another species ; for 
though it has been stated that C. hederifolium will sometimes blossom in the autumn 
as well as in the spring, I believe the statement to be contrary to the experience of all 
cultivators, and that it is an error which has arisen from the confounding of this spe- 
cies with one or more of the autumnal-flowering species.— Thomas Clark ; Halesleigh, 
January 17, 1860. 


Quadrupeds. 6953 


Occurrence of a Rare Bat, the Barbastelle (Barbastellus Daubentonii) in the Neigh- 
bourhood of London. — On the 3rd instant, when taking my first entomological walk 
this season in Richmond Park, I fonnd clinging to the trunk of a large oak a bat of 
this rare species: it was in a state of semi-torpidity, basking in the warm sun. I think 
the cause of its leaving its winter quarters thus early, after so cold a season, 
was attributable rather to the extreme discomfort it must have suffered from the mul- 
titude of vermin with: which it was infested, rather than-from a very slight rise of 
temperature.— Robert Mitford ; Hampstead, March 21, 1860. 


Account of a Species of Phalangista, recently killed in the County of 
Durham. By Jaun Hoee, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.* 


On the 22nd of August last, a son of the rector of Redmarshall, a 
small village in the county of Durham, brought to me at Norton, dis- 
tant four miles to the east of that place, a recently killed and singular 
looking animal. At first sight, the only British quadruped which it 
at all resembled, and that chiefly from its dark-coloured tail and yel- 
low breast and belly, is the yellow-breasted pine martin. Of this 
animal I have never seen a fresh specimen—only one, a good while 
ago, preserved in a museum. On a very slight examination, I however 
found, from the two large front teeth in the lower jaw, that it could 
not be a species of the Mustelide ; but it seemed (if such an animal 
were possible) a mule between a yellow-breasted martin and a squirrel 
or arabbit; the teeth and the general aspect affording characters of 
some such anomalous creature. Yet, on a closer examination of its 
feet, and especially of its hind ones, and of its long black tail, which 
was evidently prehensile at its extremity, I found that it could not be 
any British quadruped, but some New South Wales, opossum-like, or 
marsupial species. Had it been a female, I should at once have 
detected the pouch, or marsupium, or some distinct marks of one. I 
need hardly add, that if I ever before had had an opportunity of ex- 
amining with the least attention any species of the opossum tribe, I 
could not for a moment have entertained the remotest idea that 
it could be referred to any indigenous quadruped in Great Britain. 
This marsupial animal consequently ‘could only have escaped from 
confinement. 

The gentleman who brought it to me said it had been killed the 


* This paper (without the postscript) was read, on September 19th, to the Natural 
History Section, at the Meeting of the British Association at Aberdeen. Communi- 
cated by the Author. 


XVIII. x 


6954 Quadrupeds. 


evening before, whilst it was upon a tree on a farm near Redmarshall. 
The farmer, supposing that it was some savage carnivorous animal, 
which would destroy all the poultry in the neighbourhood, and 
especially, as at the time when he first noticed it, 1t was following 
some hens or chickens, he therefore, with several other men, went in 
pursuit of it, and at length succeeded in killing it, though not “up a 
gum-tree,” but up a “ poplar-tree,” where it had made a nest with 
straw. 

I may here add that the common opossum (Didelphis Virginiana) 
is known to attack poultry and to devour birds’ eggs. So then, had 
the Redmarshall farmer imagined that the strange wild beast he saw 
to be an opossum, he would have had very good grounds for fearing 
the destruction of his poultry. 

I will now briefly give a description of it. The length, from the tip 
of the nose to the base of the tail, 183 inches; the length of the tail 
about 13 inches, and the entire length 313 inches. 

The dentition I found as follows : — Two large front teeth or inci- 
sors in the lower jaw somewhat curved inwards, and like those of rab- 
bits and squirrels. Six incisors in the upper jaw, then two small 
canines —the first apart from the second, and also larger than the 
second ; and four or five molars. The first of the molars in each jaw 
is somewhat compressed and of a cone shape; but the exact number 
of the latter I could not determine as the animal was stiff, having been 
so recently killed, and I did not like to force open the jaws. In the 
lower jaw are no canine teeth, but near the base of each of the two 
long incisors there appears the rudiment of a canine tooth; also the 
same number of molars, most likely five. Ifso, the dental formula of 
the upper jaw would be = 6 inc. + 4 can. +10 mo. = 20 im all; and 
that of the lower jaw = 2 inc. + 0 can. + 10 mo. = 12 in all; and 
these altogether make thirty-two teeth. Legs rather short. Front 
foot with five long toes, and five curved, sharp and compressed claws ; 
of these toes the two central are the longest. But the hind foot has 
only two large toes and two claws; and also, on the inside, a third 
toe, divided into two as far as the last phalanx, or at least the two are 
united by the skin up to that phalanx, and they have both long, sharp 
and compressed claws. Then beyond, again, on the inside, and 
placed more backward, is a large and broad thumb, though without 
any claw or distinct nail. The feet, of a brownish yellow, having 
much the character of hands, are evidently those of a climbing 
animal; and the same may be said of the tail, for it is prehensile, is 


Quadrupeds. 6955 


curved inwards at the tip, and is devoid of hairs upon and under that 
portion. 

The skin on each side of the flank, near the hind thighs, 1 observed 
to be somewhat loose and extensible, and thus, perhaps, iudicating 
some rudiment of the loose lateral skin, which ‘is so conspicuous in 
the flying opossums. 

In colour, the upper portion of the body is gray, mixed with some 
brownj and black hairs; the neck, breast, belly, and inside of the legs 
are. yellow, with a rusty red spot and line down the breast, which ex- 
tends under the forelegs. The cheeks are orange. ‘Tail thick, black 
and hairy. Insides of the ears pinkish, nearly bare of hairs. 

Length from the nose to the ear about 3+ inches; and that of the 
ear about 23 inches; width of the same in the middle 1% inch. 

This male specimen appeared to be fully grown; but as the teeth 
were little worn and the claws so sharp, he was evidently of no age— 
the general appearance of the animal being not unlike a small gray 
fox, though less sharp across the muzzle and with shorter legs. I 
found in Bewick’s ‘ History of Quadrupeds,’ (Edit. 4, 1800), p. 435, a 
species of marsupial from New South Wales, called the “vulpine 
opossum,” which in dentition and description seems to agree with it. 
He describes it thus: —“‘ Upper part of the body grisly, consisting of 
dusky, reddish and white hairs; the under parts light tawny, two- 
thirds of the tail black, a blackish space round each eye, and long 
black whiskers.” 

And in Cuvier’s ‘Régne Animal,’ the same animal is, I conclude, 
that named “ Le Phalanger Renard” (Phalangista vulpina). There . 
is, however, another species of Phalangista which is likewise indige- 
nous in New South Wales, called P. fuliginosa, or the “ sooty pha- 
langista,” which, in some characters and dimensions, resembles it. 

Bewick has not given a figure of the “vulpine opossum ;” and 
I must therefore wait until I visit the British Museum and Zoological 
Gardens, in November, to determine with which of the two species it 
is to be identified ; but from the descriptions that I have as yet seen, 
it appears to correspond best with the fox-like Phalangista, which I 
believe is commonly called, in New South Wales, the “ brush-tailed 
opossum.” 

A bird-stuffer, at my neighbouring town of Stockton, has preserved 
the skin; but, as it was not finished and sufficiently dried, I could not 
bring it with me to exhibit to the Section. 

Some of the Phalangistz, being chiefly vegetable feeders, are eaten 
by the natives of Australia: I inquired of the stuffer, if the flesh was 


6956 Quadrupeds. 


dark, but he told me it was more like that of a rabbit; I am sorry that 
I neglected to ask him to examine the contents of the stomach whilst 
he was skinning the specimen. 


PostscripT.—Soon after my return home from Scotland, the owner 
of this animal, hearing of his capture, wrote (October Ist) to me the 
following particulars respecting him. 

He had been brought from Australia not many months before; he 
had escaped from his new home in a house at Aycliffe, distant about 
seven miles west from the place where he was killed, after wandering 
for fourteen days. He was caught by a shepherd in Australia, when 
a very few (perhaps four) weeks old, and was considered to be about 
seventeen months old. The letter ends—“ Your conjecture respecting 
the name is quite correct, as it is a specimen of the brush-tailed 
opossum.” 

Having lately visited the British Museum, I found that the Phalan- 
gista vulpina, of which there are many stuffed specimens in the 
Mammalia Saloon, is a slighter, more elegant and delicate animal, 
with smaller limbs and a finer fur; and in its head more like a small 
fox, though much of the same colour as mine, and that the Case 55 
contains two or three gray examples of the Phalangista fuliginosa, 
which much more resemble my specimen. I have therefore no doubt 
that this animal is a young male of the sooty phalangista in its second 
year of coating, and before it had attained to its specific dark, or 
brown-black colour. The fur is rougher and coarser, and the animal 
is stouter and larger in some of its dimensions, and is altogether less 
interesting than P. vulpina. 

I have also just seen three living specimens in the Zoological 
Gardens of the fox-like and one of the sooty phalangista — this last 
in his black fur, and they quite confirm my opinion. They appeared 
gentle and quiet creatures, and were feeding on cabbage, carrots and 
soaked bread; they gnawed off largish pieces of these substances, 
and, holding them in their fore-feet, were leisurely cating them after 
the manner of squirrels. They had good beds of straw in their cages, 
and the keeper told me they must be kept warm in the winter. 

Mr. Waterhouse, in his ‘ Natural History of Mammalia,’ vol. i., 
p- 291, gives the length of P. fuliginosa, as 22 inches from the nose 
to the base of the tail, and of the tail 14 inches = 36 inches in all; 
and of another, as 18 inches 6 lines, and 12 inches, or 30 inches 
6 lines altogether; and this last, he says, was a light gray, and 
entirely corresponded in colour with P. vulpina. He further men- 


Birds. 6957 


tions other individuals as being intermediate in their colouring 
between the sooty and the gray specimens. It is consequently evi- 
dent that the P. fuliginosa is a very variable species, much influenced 
by age, and perhaps by food and temperature. Indeed, Mr. Water- 
house (p. 293) believes that P. vulpina and P. fuliginosa are specifically 
identical; although I understand Mr. Gould considers them as 
distinct. 

One of the earliest descriptions of the former animal, written by the 
celebrated John Hunter, is in the Appendix to White’s ‘ Journal of a 
Voyage to New South Wales,’ p. 278 (Lond. 1790), where the native 
name of “ Wha Tapoau Roo” is given, and it is accompanied with a 
neatly coloured etching ; but the figure intended for the same species, 
p- 150 in ‘ Phillip’s Voyage to Botany Bay,’ published the year before, 
is extremely bad. 


Remarks on the Winter Visits to the British Isles of European 
Summer Migrants. By Joun R. Krnanan, F.L.S., M.R.1A.* 


THE migration of birds has been from earliest times an object of 
attention and admiration even to the unscientific. I need not more 
than allude to the frequent references to, and accurate descriptions of 
it, which occur in the oldest classics; and even among unlettered 
savages at the present day we find the migrations of birds anxiously 
watched for, and in some cases accurately predicted. It is therefore 
no matter of surprise that scientific men should have long ago made 
its phenomena a subject of study, and have traced many of its laws. 
There are, however, certain anomalies in distribution, in reference to 
the occurrence, at irregular intervals, of species which, in closely 
adjoining countries, are migratory. These, it appears, have not 
attracted as much attention as they deserve, and are connected with 
migration. Of these the most remarkable is that to which the title of 
this paper refers, viz., the occurrence of summer migrants in winter. 
Before entering on this subject, however, it will be necessary to lay 
down briefly what is here understood by migration in birds. Ina 
former communication (Proc. Dubl. Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. ii. p. 91), 
when treating on the distribution of ferns in Ireland, three general 
laws were enunciated as governing the distribution of organized 


* Read before the Natural History Society of Dublin, January 13, 1860. Com- 
municated by the author. 


6958 Birds. 


species. These were:— That all ‘species require a certain fixed 
standard amount of the great physical agents for their due develop- 
ment; that this standard may be altered within certain limits with- 
out destruction to the species, though at the expense of its well-being 
(range of existence) ; and lastly, that there are certain fixed limits to 
this range outside of whlch the species must absolutely perish. Now, 
remembering that the standard of existence is not necessarily uniform 
in different species, nor even at different ages of the same species 
(the standard of existence in the adult bird having a more extensive 
yange than in the young), and bearing in mind that the food of the 
two differs greatly in quantity, periodic migrations that is, those 
strongly-marked passages, at fixed periods of the year, of species from 
one area to another, are easily explained, excluding at present those 
migrations in which the passage performed is merely a shifting from 
one district to another similar one, necessitated by the failure of 
food. 

Taking such a view of the case, migration resolves itself into this: 
a species (the whitefronted goose, Anser albifrons, for instance) rears 
its young in the North during the summer season of that region, when 
food of the kind suitable for those young is easily procurable; after 
the young are fully developed winter sets in, and either destroys 
that food or renders it unattainable or nearly so. The species, flying 
the winter, travels south; finding in its course conditions pretty 
similar to those which prevailed in its summer abode in more northern 
latitudes: when at length it has reached a district (suppose Great 
Britain) in which these conditions, or- at least conditions compatible 
with its adult existence are permanent in the winter, it there abides 
until the increasing heat of the spring renders its adopted home un- 
suited to it, or, at least, to its future progeny. Again it takes up its 
journey, travels north, flying from the summer heat; such a species 
arriving here in the winter the Briton calls a winter migrant. A second 
species (the house swallow, Hirundo rustica) rears its young in 
Britain; this duty over, on the appearance of the British winter, 
it seeks in the milder latitudes of the South its winter quarters, 
returning again to the North when these prove too hot to hold it; and 
such a species the Briton calls a summer migrant. 

This explanation is not contradicted by the occasional breeding and 
residence, through the entire year, of individuals in districts interme- 
diate between the actual northern and southern hiemal and estival 
residences of the species, because it must be remembered that the 
limits of the standard of existence of a species are sometimes very 


Birds. 6959 


extended, occasionally almost equally so with the limits of the range 
of its existence; also that the climate of every part of the districts 
passed through in migration are not either uniform nor uniformly con- 
stant in each year, and hence that it may occur that a bird in its 
northerly progress, from some cause or other late in its migration,—as 
for instance, a weakling left behind at the annual starting point, 
whence all the stronger birds pushed boldly forwards for the North,— 
may, on finding the instinct of nidification too strong upon it, build 
its nest in the first spot which copies its proper summer region suffi- 
ciently near to fall within the extreme limits of its standard of exist- 
ence, or even in a district which, whilst falling within the range of its 
existence, is yet excluded from this standard. 

That summer and winter migrations take place almost always, if not 
always in a line due north and south, is an argument in favour of this 
explanation. I cannot call to mind a case in which nidificatory 
migration is markedly east and west over an extended area. In some 
few cases, it is true, the line of migration is not bounded by strictly 


parallel longitudinal lines east and west, but this might have been 


premised, since neither can areas similar in their climates be bounded 
by parallel] lines, but in tracing such, northwards or southwards, we 
meet with divergent outlying sub-areas which copy the climates north- 
ward or southward of them rather than those adjacent to them in 
a direct line. Such exceptions are, however, rarer than might have 


_been expected. 


A few instances selected from among the birds of the British Isles 
(as these have been best studied) and of these choosing species, which 
occurring north in Great Britain, might have been expected to occur 
in Ireland also, but do not, will suffice to illustrate this. 

_ Nightingale (Sylvia luscinia) occurs in Cumberland (Carlisle) 
Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Middle- 
sex, Kent, Somerset, Hants, Sussex, and East Devon. It is common 
only in the easternmost of these shores, being rare in Cumberland, 


Lancashire, Somerset and East Devon, unknown in West Devon and 


Cornwall; apparently so in Scotland, certainly in Wales. North of 
Britain it occurs in Sweden, Russia and Siberia; and south, in the 
eastern parts of France, Germany and Spain, wintering in North 
Africa, Egypt and Syria; unknown in the Channel Islands and 
Brittany. Now, if these points be connected on the map, it will be 
be seen that the regular line of migration is to the eastwards of a line 
which cuts off Ireland, Wales, Scotland and part of England. 

_ Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collaris) occurs in Cumberland, 


6960 Birds. 


Wales and the South of England, not. in Scotland. North; in 
Russia, Sweden, Denmark. South; in Germany, France, Spain, 
North Africa and Cape of Good Hope. Its line of migration being 
slightly to the westward of the nightingale, but still excluding 
Treland. 

Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), in the like manner, whilst 
extenditig as far North as Scandinavia and Central Russia, is rare in 
the south-western shires and unknown in the north-western. 

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) extends into Wales, but 
is rare there, showing that this is an outlying station. It is un- 
necessary to multiply examples further, for the same laws will be 
found to be more or less strictly applicable to all the regular summer 
migrants of Great Britain unknown as such in IJreland. 

Now, it has been already shown that in the districts lying east and 
west of the area included within the normal migratory lines of each 
species, there occur subareas which are nearly as suitable for the well- 
being of such species as the districts contained within these limits ; 
and hence, if by any disturbing cause a migratory bird is driven out of 
its usual course, it may in such subareas find a spot in which it can 
subsist, and where it will probably remain until more favoring circum- 
stances enable it to regain its course, and if this divergence takes 
place during its northernly migration it may possibly breed here. 

Remarkable instances of these latter phenomena are seen in Ire- 
land among southern migrants; in the golden oriole (Oriolus gar- 
rula), blackcap warbler (Sylvia atricapilla), hawfinch (Fringilla 
coccothraustes), crossbill (Loxia curvirostris), rose pastor (Pastor 
roseus), hoopoe (Upupa epops), melodious willow wren (Sylvia tro- 
chilus), stone curlew (@dicnemus crepitans), dotterell (Charadrius 
morinellus), and possibly in the grasshopper warbler (Sylvza locus- 
tella) ; and in Great Britain, in the golden oriole, hoopoe and rose 
pastor, &c. 

Taken it as proven, that migration takes place in a line north 
and south, that it has fixed longitudinal limits, and that through 
disturbing causes species occasionally transgress these limits and 
survive, the occurrence of summer European migrants in these 
isles is what might have been expected,— all that has occurred is 
this, — the birds in their passage south meeting with easterly gales 
have been driven from their course, and, finding here localities suited 
to their habits, remain either till spring or till a favorable moment for } 
continuing their southern journey arises. : 

The instances of the occurrence of such birds in Treland in winter | 


: 


Birds. 6961 


are more numerous than might be supposed from published records. 
I liave collected all I could come across, either from my own 
researches, from those of R. J. Montgomery, Esq., jun., of Ballina, 
kindly communicated to me by that gentleman and from Thomp- 
son’s ‘ Fauna of Ireland, and have little doubt that they do not repre- 
sent a tithe of the instances in which this has occurred. We may 
divide them into— Ist, regular British summer migrants, unknown as 
such in Ireland, though one or two have occurred during this season 
here; 2nd, Irish summer migrants; and 8rd, European summer 
migrants, only irregular visitants to the Britannic area. 


Ist. British summer migrants :-— 


Reed Wren (Sylvia arundinacea). Dublin, December, 1848. 

Redstart (Sylvia phoenicurus). Dublin, 1828 and 1830; Queen’s 
Co., 1847; Belfast. 

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). Belfast, 1834; Dublin, 1833, 
1843, 1846, 1847. This bird occurred in Phenix Park in the sum- 
mer of 1844, and has bred in the county of Dublin and elsewhere 
many times; Tipperary, 1834; Waterford, 1830, 1834 and 1858; 
Galway, 1842; Cork, 1839. This species is recorded as having 
occurred in England several times in winter. 

Stone Curlew (Edicnemus crepitans). Dublin, 1829 and 1849 ; 
Waterford, 1840; Kerry, August, 1842; Wexford, 1844. 

Dotterell (Charadrius morinellus), breeds in Ireland rarely. Down, 
1834 ; Tipperary, 1853. 

Spotted Crake (Gallinula porzana). Occasional in summer. Bel- 
fast, 1835, 1847 and 1848; Donegal and Down, 1828 and 1848; 
Dublin, 1835; Wicklow, 1835; Queen’s Co., 1834; Kerry, 1845 
and 1846; Clare, 1832; Waterford, 1842 and 1843. 

Ruff (Machetes pugnax). Nearly regularly every winter. Antrim ; 
Donegal, 1837 and 1838; occasionally in Dublin; Wicklow, 1853; 
Kildare, 1838 and 1840; Tipperary, 1848. 


2nd. Irish summer migrants :— 

Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus). Dublin, 1842 or 18438, 1847 and 
1848, 

Whinchat (Sylvia rubetra). Dublin, 1847, 1848, 1850 and 1859. 

Sedge Warbler (Sylvia Phragmites). Dublin, 1842. 

Whitethroat (Sylvia cinerea). Dublin, 1843. 

Chiffchaff (Sylvia rufa). Louth, 1849; Castle Warren, Co. Cork, 
November, 1850 to February, 1851. 

XVIII. Z 


6962 Birds. 


Common Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Wouth, December, 1850; 
Castle Warren, Co. Cork; 1849. It is a question whether the birds 
of this species and the sand martins (Hirundo riparia), seen some- 
times late into the autumn and winter, do not fall under this category 
rather than under that of birds which have overstaid their time here. 
I have seen the former species about Dublin late in November in 
several years (the past one among the number), and have always 
remarked that when this occurred there was an interval during which 
no swallows at all were visible, and then the species reappeared. 
G. H. Kinahan, Esq., sends me a note of the occurrence of the sand 
martin at Castle Connell, Co. Limerick, November 30th, 1859. 


3rd. European summer migrants, occurring in winter in the 
Britannic area :— 


Great Gray Shrike (Zanius excubitor). Northumberland and Cum- 
berland, Durham, Cheshire, Worcester, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, 
Suffolk, Hertford, Surrey, Kent, Sussex and Devon. On two occa- 
sions it has bred in England. The species is noted in Norway, 
Sweden, Denmark, Lapland and Russia. South; in Germany, Hol- 
land (rare), France, Spain and Fezzan. In Ireland the species has 
occurred in Antrim, 1834 and 1835; Down, 1845; Londonderry, 
1846; Sligo, 1831 or 1832; Westmeath and Dublin, 1822 or 1823, 
1831 and 1850; Queen’s Co., 1847; Tipperary, Waterford and Cork, 
1824, 1844 and 1845. 

Black Redstart (Sylvia tithys). Kirkwall, Orkney (‘ Field’ 
newspaper, 1860); Derby, 1856; Norfolk, 1849; Oxford, 1852; 
Gloucester, 1830 and ]835; Middlesex, 1829; Hants, 1842, 1849 
and 1852; Sussex, 1830, 1839, 1843, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852 and 
1853; Devon, 1833, 1843, 1847, 1849 and 1850; Kent and Cornwall, 
1842, 1843, 1844, 1849, 1853 and 1856. Mr. Edward Hearle Rodd 
states it 1s a regular winter visitant to Cornwall. Its range is 
Sweden (scarce), Germany, France and Holland (rare), Spain (a winter 
visitant), Provence and Italy (where it resides in winter), Cape Sicily, 
Malta and Tangier; it is also recorded from the Morea and Smyrna; 
and Assistant-Surgeon, William Carte, has brought it from the Crimea. 
In Ireland the species has occurred in Antrim, 1841; Dublin, 1859 ; 
Wexford, 1836; Waterford, 1828, 1829 and 1843; Cork, 1845. 
The parallelism between these species as to distribution and occur- 
rence is striking, and the necessary connection between the causes of 
it scarcely needs comment. 

These remarks have already run to such a length, that I must omit 


Birds. 6963 


the many examples which might be quoted from the other groups of 
birds falling under the same categories, for these have sufficiently 
proven that the explanation given is correct. Confirmation of the 
same thing is also seen if examination be made into other facts 
relating to distribution ; for instance, we find that of the group of 
birds which are resident in Great Britain, non-resident, yet occasional 
visitants to Ireland, all are migratory in some parts of the European 
continent ‘and have occurred in Ireland in the winter; as examples 
may be cited, — the kite (Falco mzlvus) and the great spotted wood- 
pecker. (Picus major), Antrim, 1839 and 1849; Londonderry, 1802; 
Armagh, 1845; Dublin, 1831 and 1850; Carlow, 1845; Tipperary, 
1831 and 1849; Sligo, 1835 and 1850; in two cases only have 
these birds occurred here (viz., May and August) in other than the 
winter months. It is remarkable also that al] the southern species 
which have only occurred once or twice in this country have done so 
in winter, — the spotted eagle (Falco nevius), griffon vulture (Vultur 
Sulvus), White’s thrush (Turdus White), crested lark (Alauda 
cristata), two-barred crossbill (Loxia bifasciata), &c. Northern 
stragglers occurring here, as the eagle owl (Stria# bubo), snowy owl 
(Stria nyctea) and Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrula), have 
been long ago recognized as birds driven from their migratory course, 
and an error has been committed in not making a more general 
application of the same law in all cases of accidental visitants,— 
an error the more surprising as some of our authorities, as for 
instance William Thompson have recognized that such is the case in 
regard to many species, as the woodpecker, quoted above. 

I have little doubt that to the same principles we must look for the 
explanation of the fact, that the occurrence of Australian, American 
and African birds, such as the great spotted cuckoo (Cuculus glan- 
darius), yellowbilled cuckoo (Cuculus americanus), belted kingfisher 
(Alcedo alcyon), Egyptian goose (Anser egyptiacus), and soft-billed 
duck (Anas membranaceus), have mostly occurred in the winter. 

I must apologize for the length to which these remarks have run, 
but that they were called for is sufficiently shown by the constant 
remarks of wonderment met with in authors, as to the absence, in 
Irish and Scotch lists, of species met with in England and also 
occurring much further north. I hope to return to the subject 
at some future time, and will now conclude by calling attention to 
the fact that, by examination of the few dates given, it will be seen 
that these accidental occurrences of species have occurred nearly in 


6964 Birds. 


the same years, showing that the same causes have caused diver- 
gence from the usual routes in almost every case. 


JoHN RoBert KINHAHAN. 


A List of the Birds of Banffshire, accompanied with Anecdotes. 
By Tuomas Epwarp. 


(Concluded from page 6849.) 


Curlew Sandpiper (Tringa subarquata). I have only met with one 
specimen of which I can speak with certainty ; this was in Septem- 
ber, 1852. 

Knot (T. canutus). A few generally visit us every autumn on their 
southward passage. They are remarkably easy of approach. 

Little Stint (7. minuta). <A very fine little fellow. I once had 
a desperate hunt after one. Returning home one evening along our 
links, I heard a strange cry, coming, as it seemed, from the shore. I 
listened for some time, as I knew it was the season (September) for 
many of our migratory species visiting us. Never having heard the 
cry before, I was speedily on the beach. But it was dark, and I had 
not cat’s eyes ; the sound, too, ceased as soon as I gained the beach. 
After groping about for some time I thought I espied a rather large 
flock of birds at some distance along the shore. I approached 
cautiously, and found that I was correct, the flock consisting chiefly 
of ringed plovers, dunlins and sanderlings. From the latter circum- 
stance, and from the fact that the cry was that of a sandpiper, I was 
pretty sure that a stranger was amongst them. Although I could see 
well enough that the birds were on the wet sand between me and the 
water, I could not make them all out distinctly. Once or twice [ 
thought I could distinguish one considerably smaller than the others, 
but directly felt that I had been mistaken. I was now im a state 
of great excitement; every limb shook like an aspen leaf, or a 
cock’s tail on a windy day. What wasItodof True I might have 
fired at them, but the odds were greatly against my being successful. 
It was now fairly dark, and the birds had retired. to rest on a ridge of 
shingle which intervenes between the sands and links. Instead of 
returning home, as any one else would have done, I laid in a hollow 
till morning, to await their first appearance, in the hope of attaining 


Birds. 6965 


my object.* It proved a wet and windy night, but daylight brought 
with it a fine morning; with it also came two gunners along the 
beach. This vexed me to the very heart. The birds were not yet 
astir, but I knew they would rise at the approach of the men, who 
would doubtless attempt to shoot them. Just as I anticipated, up 
went the birds, crack, crack went the shots, and down fell several 
birds. Rising from my stony couch, I rushed at once to the spot to 
see the victims, and found them all to consist of sanderlings, dunlins 
and one ringed plover. The gunners were strangers to me, but I ven- 
tured to ask them to abstain from firing until I had satisfied myself 
about the bird I sought; but they seemed unable to understand why 
one bird could be of so much more interest than another, and told 
me that, as there were plenty of them, I could fire away, and take my 
chance. I declined to shoot with them, but eagerly watched each 
time they fired, and if a bird fell I went and examined it, but did not 
meet with the one I sought. They at last got tired, and went away. 
It was now my turn; but unhappily the birds, from being so often 
fired at, had become extremely shy, so that to near them sufficiently 
for my purpose was all but impossible. By perseverance, however, I 
at length again made out one, as I thought, a good deal smaller than 
the others. I succeeded in creeping a little nearer. They rose, 
I fired, and down fell four. J rushed, breathless, boping to pick up 
the bird in which I took such interest. But alas! no: it was not 


* As the writer of this List is doubuless unknown to the majority of the readers of 
the ‘ Zoologist, and as some of them might in consequence be inclined to think 
this an exaggeration, it may be as well to state that at one period of his life such 
proceedings were quite common with him. Four successive seasons he was never 
in his bed for about five months of each year, except on Saturday and Sunday nights, 
and when the weather was very stormy. His day’s work done, with his gun upon his 
shoulder, his insect-box and appendages slung on his back, his plant-case by his side, 
and with a host of pill-boxes, small bottles, &c., to meet emergencies, away he 
bounded, with heart as light as a feather, either to the wuods, fields or sea-shore, 
searching, as long as any daylight remained, for specimens in Natural History. Day- 
light gone, he would lie down for a nap; no matter whether by the side of a rock, a_ 
sand-bank, a hole amongst the shingle, in a ditch, under the cover of a bush, behind 
a dyke, or by the side of a tree, it was all one. There he lay till the ae peep of 
morning, when he was at it again, and continued until he thought he had just 
sufficient time left to get to his work by the appointed hour; this, however, only when 
“nothing new or rare attracted his notice, for in that case neither work nor home 
eyer once crossed his mind until the object of his pursuit was either procured 
or entirely out of reach. During a tour between Banff and Aberdeen coastwise, 
which occupied six days, he rested only one night in bed, sleeping the remaining 
five by the way-side and amongst the bents by the sea-shore. 


6966 Birds. 


there. And away went the remainder towards the sea; then, turning, 
they rounded a point or headland called Blackpots, and disappeared | 
from view. From this and their not returning I knew that they had 
gone to the sands at Whitehills, about three miles distant, to which 
place I proceeded ; but no sooner was I there than back they flew in 
the direction they had come. Back I went also, and found them at 
the old place. Just as I reached them away they went once more, 
and of course away I went likewise. In this way we continued nearly 
the whole day, they flying to and fro, I following them. Towards 
evening, my strength beginning to fail, and feeling quite exhausted, I 
gave up the chase, and once more took up my abode amongst the 
shingle, in the hope that they might return there again for the night. 
Just as I wished and expected, and while it was yet light, they came 
and alighted about thirty yards from where Ilay. Away went fatigue, 
hunger, and thoughts of home; in fact, the sight of the object of my 
day and night’s solicitude made me a new creature. Off went the 
messengers of death. Two of the birds fell, the rest fled once more 
towards the sea. I followed, but had not proceeded far when I 
observed one falter; leaving its companions, it bent its course 
towards where I stood, and suddenly dropped almost at my very feet. 
As I picked up the little thing I could not but feel thankful that my 
patience and perseverance had been crowned with such success. It 
was the first little stint I had shot, and the only one I have ever 
seen here. 

Temminck’s Stint (Z. Temminckiz). Mr. Taylor, at one time 
gamekeeper to the Earl of Fife, is said to have shot a specimen on 
the river bank. 

Dunlin (T. variabilis). ‘These breed in a few of our marshy places, 
and may now and then be met with along the coast. Towards 
autumn large flocks appear, but do not remain long. Specimens may 
be picked up occasionally, during winter, almost pure white, except 
the bill, legs and feet, which retain their usual colour. This species 
appears to differ considerably in size, the legs and bills included, the 
larger birds often having the shortest bills. 

Purple Sandpiper (7. maritima). A rock-loving species whilst 
with us, never leaving the rocks unless from necessity. They are 
gregarious, and huddle so closely together that I have known as 
many as twenty-three killed at one shot. I have killed them occa- 
sionally during summer, their colour then being of a rufous or rusty 
character, or more like that of the dunlin, the purple gloss and dark 
gray plumage of winter having all but disappeared. 


Birds. 6967 


Land Rail (Gallinula crea), “corn craig” or “crake” with us. 
Very sparingly distributed here. It arrives generally at the begin- 
ning of May, and departs usually in September, but I have seen it as 
late as December. These birds often feign themselves dead, when 
hard pressed, rather than fly,—a fact that may seem incredible to 
those who have paid no attention to such things. I was myself 
once completely baffled by a pair. Knowing they were in a small 
hay-field close by, I wished to obtain them, but being unable to raise 
them myself I got the assistance of a man anda dog. First the dog 
was sent, but it did not make them fly; we then went in ourselves, 
with a like result, but quite satisfied that they were still in the field. 
In this we were correct, for we had not long left the field when both 
commenced their “craik” again. At that time I was not aware of 
their power of dissembling. On another occasion I shot one while it 
was crying, and without seeing the bird. When shot it leaped about, 
like a rabbit will sometimes when hit. I rushed to the spot, and found 
it lying to all appearance dead. 1 picked it up, and was gratified at 
finding it an excellent specimen, in first-rate plumage, and its ap- 
pearance very little injured by the shot; in fact, it was just such a 
specimen that I was in want of. The tip of one of the wings was 
_ broken, and that was all. Leaving the field, and bringing with me 
the bird, I sat down a little distance off. Having put a piece of 
cotton wadding down its throat and some rum to the wound, I laid it 
carefully down beside my gun. I had only sat a few minutes when a 
gentleman who was passing asked me what I had shot. I told him. 
“T am glad of that,” said he, “for I have never seen one, although I 
have often heard them when out walking in summer.” “Oh, well,” I 
said, “you shall see as pretty a one as eyes ever beheld,” at the same 
time turning round with something like energy to where the (as I 
thought) dead bird lay, in order to show it to the gentleman. Need 
[tell the sequel? “It’s awa’, sir.” “‘ What!” said the gentleman, 
“away?” “Then, it could not have been dead, as you led me to 
believe.” “It’s awa’, sir,” I again said; “ an’ fat’s mair, I can 
assure ye it wis dead. I shot it dead; but, confound it, it’s awa’ for 
a’ that, cotton wadding an’a’!” Yes, it was fairly off, and I was 
tricked ; there is no doubt of that. Is it possible that these birds 
remove their eggs on its coming to their knowledge that their nests 
have been discovered? I knew of a nest which contained seven 
eggs. I took one, and, wishing to get all that the hen would lay, left 
the remainder untouched; I also carefully obliterated all my foot- 
marks, to prevent others from suspecting anything if the nest was 


6968 Birds. 


found. I went back three days afterwards, when, although there were 
no signs of human foot-prints, all the eggs were gone. A nearly 
black specimen was killed by a dog near here, some years ago; also 
one with only one ieg, and but one fore toe to the remaining foot. 

Little Crake (G. pusilla). Only one of this British rarity has been 
procured here, as far as I know. This occurred in March, 1852, at a 
place called Thornton, on the banks of the Isla. It was found dead 
by a girl tending cattle. . 

Moorhen (G. chloropus), or, as we have it here the “ waterhen,” for 
if any one were to speak here of the moorhen he would be looked 
upon as talking of the red grouse or “muir fowl.” In consequence 
of having but few lochs, and those very small, we have not many of 
this species. A few about our rivers, and what little pieces of water 
we have, are all we can boast of.. They are excellent swimmers, 
although not web-footed; nor are they bad divers; and as skulkers 
they almost rival the land rail. 

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus). Far more scarce than the last, in 
fact it is almost a rarity. Specimens are now and then met with, and 
that is all. Perhaps their skulking habits prevent their being oftener 
seen. 

Coot (Fulica atra). I believe this to be but an occasional visitor. A 
few specimens have been observed at different times. On the loch of 
Strathbeg (Aberdeenshire), where they are pretty numerous, they 
breed, and remain all the year round. In very wet summers the water 
of this loch rises at times considerably above the usual level; on 
such occasions I have seen the coot sailing nobly along with her nest 
beneath her. 

Gray Phalarope (Phalaropus platyrhynchus). Three specimens 
were procured on the sands of Sandend, during the winter of 1840—1. 

Rednecked Phalarope (P. hyperboreus). One specimen, a male, 
was shot on the beach here, in the spring of 1855. 

Of the genus Anser we are remarkably scanty. Several kinds of 
geese have from time to time been procured, and not an autumn or 
spring passes without many large flocks being seen passing and 
repassing, but to what species they may belong it is difficult to say. 
That the graylag (Anser ferus), the brent (A. bernicla), the Egyptian 
(A. egyptiacus), and the spurwinged (A. gambensis) have been met 
with is beyond doubt ; but that these are all that have visited us it is 
hard to say. The brent is very numerous some seasons along the 
coast. | 

The genus Cygnus is still more scantily represented. . Some of 


Birds. 6969 


them visit us in passing to and from their breeding grounds ; but I am 
not aware of any ever having been obtained. 

Common Shieldrake (Anas tadorna). This pretty bird is only a 
Winter visitor with us, and then not in large numbers. 

Shoveller (A. clypeata). This pretty bird is quite a rarity here. 
In the latter part of the winter of 1837—8, which was of great 
severity here, a mutilated specimen of the shoveller was found dead 
amongst the rocks at Blackpots. This, a male in splendid plumage, 
is the only one I have seen or heard of here. 

Gadwall (A. strepera). Another great rarity, so far as Iam aware ; 
one, a female, procured in the Diveron, by Dr. Leslie, about the time 
the shoveller above alluded to was picked up, is the only one I 
know of. 

Pintail Duck (A. acuta). I remember being aroused rather early 
one morning, many years ago, by a loud knocking at the street door, 
and a person calling out at the top of his voice, “ Rise, man! rise! 
Ive brought a rare bird t ye—a duke!” Being awake I immediately 
jumped up; but had I been sound asleep I believe the words “ rare 
bird” would have awoke me. On seeing the bird I was delighted at 
beholding a beautiful male pintail. It had been shot the night 
before, on the Diveron. They have, I believe, been seen on the 
Spey also. 

Wild Duck (A. boschas). Plentiful, especially in winter. Among 
the sandy bents almost close to the ocean’s verge, and on the tops of 
our heath-clad hills and moors, I have found this species breeding ; 
also on a tree about thirteen feet from the ground, and on a rock in 
the craigs of Alvah. This latter nest was placed on a ledge fully thirty 
feet above the water, and had eight or nine feet of perpendicular rock 
above it. There is a hill near here which I believe they used fre- 
quently to nestle on, but which they have now quite deserted,—a hill 
to which I have already alluded,—viz., Fern or Whin Hill, better 
known as Gallow Hill. It was on this hill, or rather piece of ground, 
for it hardly deserves the name of hill, that the celebrated freebooter 
M’Pherson finished his earthly career. It is a rough and stony place 
where he lies, covered with heath and whin. The pheasant and 
wild duck used not unfrequently to breed on his very grave. Ona 
small island on the Diveron stood a tall old poplar. , About five feet 
from the ground it divided into two arms, one stretching upwards, 
whilst the other bent over the river, and it is with this one that we 
are most concerned. In 1839 the Diveron, like the other rivers in 
Scotland, rose far above its usual height, so high indeed that it 

XVIII. 2A 


6970 Birds. 


reached the arm of the tree alluded to, on which it deposited a good 
deal of rubbish. A female wild duck built her nest, a few years 
afterwards, amongst the dédris thus left, and succeeded in rearing 
a brood of thirteen young ones. Neither nest nor bird, though 
known of by some salmon-fishers who had a station close by, were 
disturbed. One morning the female was observed by these men to 
leave her nest and fly up and down the water in an unusual manner. 
Presently she was joined by the male, and both disappeared beneath 
a bank a little above where the nest was. The fishermen, who 
had watched them, observed the female reappear alone, and, after 
flying up and down once or twice, again settled down on the water, 
just below the tree which contained the nest. After sailing about for 
a few minutes, she was heard to give a “quack,” when down went 
something into the water, and presently a young one was seen by her 
side. Away she swam with it to the bank referred to, consigning it 
to the charge of the male; after which she returned, and, having 
again sailed about for a short time, gave another “quack,” when 
down came another youngster, which she also led away to the bank. 
In this way she continued until all were safely removed, never giving 
more than one “quack,” and never carrying more than one young 
one at a time; nor did she return after taking away the thirteenth. 

Garganey (A. querquedula). Two specimens of this species were 
shot in December, 1840; and one is said to have been obtained at 
Cullen, in the spring of 1841. 

Teal (A. crecca). Occasionally met with in winter. 

Wigeon (A. Penelope). One of our rarest duck visitors. A splendid 
male specimen was killed by H. A. Rannie, Esq., of Boyndie, near 
his residence, in September, 1853. 

American Wigeon (4. americana). A mutilated male specimen 
of this rare duck, shot on the Burn of Boyndie, in January, 1841, was 
for many years in my possession. 

Scanp Duck (A. marila). Pretty frequent during winter. 

Tufted Duck (4. fuligula). Very rare. 

Goldeneye (A. clangula). A regular winter visitor, generally coast- 
wise, but they are also met with on mill-dams many miles inland. 

Longtailed Duck (A. glactalis). Abundant, but always keeping 
near the coast. J have shot them when in their full breeding dress, 
which gives them quite a different appearance. In spring they are 
very clamorous, pursuing each other through the water, and diving 
and skipping about like Merry Andrews. The noise they make on 
such occasions is so loud that [ have heard it, on a still morning, 


Birds. : 6971 


nearly three miles distant. They are generally among the first to 
arrive and the last to leave. 

Hooded Merganser (Mergus cucullatus). I was told by an old 
gunner and bird-stuffer that he had shot a specimen of this species, 
but I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the statement. 

Redbreasted Merganser (M. serrator). Not very plentiful. All 
along the coast, in suitable localities, they may be met with, singly 
and two or three together, never more. 

Goosander (AZ. merganser). A winter visitor. The male is a very 
showy gentlemen. As many as seven or eight specimens were pro- 
cured at one shot, on the Diveron, by a Mr. Gellie. I have seen as 
many as five or six together, not more. 

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). An occasional visitor. 

Rednecked Grebe (P. rubricollis). Of more frequent occurrence, 
but generally in immature plumage. 

Eared Grebe (P. auritus). Less frequent than the last. 

Little Grebe (P. minor). A winter seldom passes without an op- 
portunity occurring to obtain this species. 1 think it is one of the 
most expert divers we have. 

Great Northern Diver (Colymbus glacialis). Some seasons pretty 
plentiful. Splendid specimens are at times procured, but they are 
generally immature. 

Blackthroated Diver (C. arcticus) and Redthroated Diver (C. sep- 
tentrionalis). Winter visitors, and, as far as [am aware, in about 
equal numbers. <A few of them generally fall victims every spring by 
getting entangled in the bog-nets set for salmon. They not unfre- 
quently visit our larger streams, where they make great havoc among 
the smaller of the finny tribe. 

Brunnich’s Guillemot (Uria Brunnichit) has been once met with. 

Common Guillemot (U. trozle), Ringed Guillemot (U. lachrymans), 
Black Guillemot (U. grylle), Puffin (Mormon fratercula), and Razor- 
bill (Alca torda). All these species breed with us, but the common 
guillemot only rarely. As my late respected friend the Rev. Mr. 
Smith has already given (Zool. 2905) an account of the breeding- 
places of the Banffshire birds, I need only state that since that 
account was written the ringed guillemot has been discovered to 
breed here. I resolved to visit the rocks of Gamrie, to ascertain if 
the species nested there, but although I spent nearly two days in 
searching I failed to detect it. Sailing in a little bark, with a gentle 
breeze blowing, I had ample opportunity of viewing the various 
birds as they were approached and as they flew past. Passing in 


6972 Birds. 


front of the several sea-fow] nurseries of Troup, I beheld scenes truly 
magnificent,—scenes which could not have failed to create feelings of 
the deepest interest, in a mind capable of appreciating the sublime 
and beautiful workings of Nature. Having landed at the most famed 
of these nurseries, in order to view the scene with advantage,-—here, 
I thought, as I gazed at the white towering cliffs, which had laughed 
to scorn the angriest scowl of the most mighty wave that ever spent 
its fury against their base, and defied, the stormiest blast from the 
icy North ; where the largest gull in its mid-way flight appears no 
larger than the smallest of its kind; where the falcon breeds beside 
and in perfect harmony with the other inhabitants of the rocky cliffs ; 
where multitudes of birds, of various forms and hues, from the snowy 
whiteness of the kittiwake to the sable dye of the croaking raven, have 
found a resting-place whereou to build their nests and deposit their 
eggs,— here, I thought, as I was about to leave the busy throng, 
even here, man, the noblest, although too often degrading himself far 
beneath the lowest of all animals, might learn lessons of industry and 
affection from these humble monitors of Nature. Though thus un- 
successful myself, I had only returned home a day when I had the 
pleasure of having one sent me by a friend whom I had asked to 
keep a look-out for it. .I have procured several since, both in winter 
and summer ; I have also been shown places in the cliffs where the 
fishermen say they know them now to breed. 

Little Auk (Alca alle). A winter visitor. In December, 1846, a 
terrific sea-storm raged here for the greater part of the month ; at its 
termination I counted between the Burn of Boyne and Greenside of 
Gamrie, a distance of about nine miles, nearly sixty of these little 
birds lying dead, besides a number of guillemots and razorbills. 
Great numbers were also found dead in the fields throughout the 
county. It is a grand sight to see one of these diminutive but 
intrepid creatures manoeuvring with the impetuous billows of a 
stormy sea. Wave follows wave in rapid succession, bearing destruc- 
tion to everything within reach ; but the little auk, by Nature taught, 
avoids the threatened danger, either by mounting above the waves 
or by going between them, reappearing unhurt as they spend their 
fury on the unoffending shore. It has disappeared, and is nowhere 
to be seen. The eye wanders in vain amongst the turbulent surge, to 
catch another sight of the little sailor bird; and one unacquainted 
with such a scene would be apt to exclaim, “ Poor little thing, it is 
killed, and buried amongst the foam.” Patience, my friend, I would 
say. Look again. See, it is there once more, as lively as ever, and 


Birds. 6973 


ready to master the next billow. It had but descended in search of 
food. 

Cormorant (Carbo cormoranus). Frequent, except a short time 
during summer. A pair or two may breed with us, but that is all. 
Like the divers they destroy great numbers of fish. 

Shag (C. cristatus). Only, I believe, an occasional visitor. 

Gannet (Sula bassana). <A spring and autumn visitor, and occa- 
sionally during summer and winter. When overtaken, as they some- 
times are, by strong north winds from the sea-shore, I have known 
them driven to great distances inland, where they are frequently seen 
lying dead. Immature specimens are now and then procured during 
' their autumnal passage, and from their different plumage are looked 
upon as distinct from the “solan goose,” as the gannet is here called. 
. Sandwich Tern (Slerna cantiaca). An occasional visitor, gene- 
rally in summer. 

Roseate Tern (S. Dougalliz). Two specimens have been obtained 
between Banff and Cullen. 

Common Tern (S. Hirundo) and Arctic Tern (S. arctica). Annual 
visitors, generally in the autumn, some seasons in immense numbers. 
Although they do not breed with us, they do so on part of the sandy 
shores, &c., of the adjoining counties of Aberdeen and Moray. 

Lesser Tern (S. mznuta). This pretty little lady-like bird does not 
breed with us, but does so in the places mentioned for the two pre- 
ceding. It is only an occasional visitor. About fifty years ago a 
specimen was shot on our links by an old gunner of this town. 
The bird being a stranger to him he carefully brought it to town 
to make inquiries. Ornithology, or in fact Natural History, was at 
that time, at least here, scarcely heard of ; ministers, medical men 
and schoolmasters being the only persons at all acquainted with the 
subject. The bird was seen and admired by a great number of 
people, but no one had seen anything like it before. The minister 
was appealed to, but he could not say what it was. A medical man 
said to be learned in these things was then visited. Having put 
on his spectacles, after looking again and again at the bird he turned 
to its captor and exclaimed, ‘‘ What do you say, sir,—this bird killed 
on our links?” “Yes, sir.” “ Killed in this country, on our links ? 
Why, man, I can hardly believe you. It’s not a bird of this country 
at all; it’s a foreigner. I tell you it’s a foreigner, and could not 
have been shot here.” “Foreigner or no foreigner,” said the captor, 
somewhat displeased, and taking up his bird, “it was killed at the 
sea-side here, say what you like.” 


6974 Birds. 


Black Tern (S. nigra). I know only one instance of its having 
occurred here. 

Sabine’s Gull (Larus Sabini). I had an exciting chase after a 
specimen, but failed in capturing it; it was the only one I have seen 
or heard of here. 

Little Gull (L. minutus). I believe only two specimens have been 
met with. 

Masked Gull (Z. capistratus). I am informed that two of these 
birds were killed about thirty years ago. 

Blackheaded Gull (Z. ridibundus). Like the common and arctic 
terns, this species, although it has no breeding-grounds with us, 
breeds on either side in great numbers, and is a frequent visitor here, 
chiefly in spring and autumn. 

Kittiwake (Z. tridactylus). Breeds with us, but not in such num- 
bers as formerly. 

Ivory Gull (Z. eburneus). A female specimen, shot near here, 
January 29, 1847, is the only one I am aware of. 

Common Gull (Z. canus). Abundant during winter and spring, and 
parties may be met with all the year round. I believe it does not 
breed with us. 

Iceland Gull (LZ. lewcopterus). Sometimes, during winter, a speci- 
men of this northern bird may be obtained, but mostly in an imma- 
ture state of plumage. 

Lesser Blackbacked Gull (LZ. fuscus). Met with now and then, 
but not in great plenty. It does not nestle here. 

Herring Gull (S. argentatus). Breeds at Gamrie Head and at 
Traup. Numbers are taken when young by the fishermen and their 
children, and brought up quite tame, walking about the villages like 
poultry. 

Great Blackbacked Gull (Z. marinus). Like his lesser brethren, 
this gentleman is but a visitor here, and generally before he gets his 
black coat. 

Glaucous Gull (Z. glaucus). A female, in an immature state of 
plumage, was killed at Gamrie. 

Common Skua (Lestris catarractes) and Richardson’s Skua (L. 
Richardson?). Both are to be met with as visitors, the latter the rarer 
of the two. 

Fulmar Petrel (Procellaria glacialis). An occasional winter visitor. 
I had a specimen sent me from Gamrie which approached a boat so 
closely that one of the fishermen knocked it down with an oar; this 
was several miles out at sea. 


to hear of such additions than myself. 


Birds. 6975 


Great Shearwater (Puffinus major) and Dusky Shearwater (P. ob- 
scurus). Only winter visitors. 

Storm Petrel (Thalassidroma pelagica). A visitor, like the rest of 
its kindred, but more frequent, and may be met with at intervals all 
the year round. The superstitious dread of this little bird by sailors 
and fishermen is well known. 


With the storm petrel ends my List of the Birds of Banffshire. 
Many species given as “rare” may turn out to be of frequent occur- 
rence, and many given as “occasional visitors” may prove to be 
natives. Species, too, not mentioned in this List may have to be 
included in the birds of the county; and no one will be more pleased 


THomas EDWARD. 


Note on the Barn Swallow of Jamaica (Hirundo americana).—I observe that [the 
late lamented] Mr. Osburn, in his Jamaica notes, (Zool. 6878) refers to a “seventh 
species of Hirundine,” which he says “ might easily be taken for the English bird, H. 
rustica, but it is, I think, ruddier beneath, and has on the outer vane of each tail- 
feather a conspicuous white oval spot. It may possibly prove to be the American 
barn swallow. That the bird so imperfectly described is the Hirundo .americana I 
have little doubt, but then the white spots would be on the inner webs of each tail- 
feather, excepting the two middle ones, as in our chimney swallow, which I have 
remarked in my Canada notes, that it greatly resembles (Zool. 6705). “Its tail 
(Hirundo americana) is forked ; and this bird, in shape, colour and manner of flight, 
bears so strong a resemblance to the chimney swallow of Europe, that even an 
ornithologist might be excused for mistaking it on the wing.’ Possibly the above 
may be a misprint, for the following note by Mr. Gosse, instead of clearing up 
the point, leaves it more obscure than ever. He remarks: “ Or H. fulva, perhaps, 
but neither of these species has any white on the inner vanes of the tail-feathers.” 
Having shot and closely examined more than one barn swallow — which are now on 
the table before me—I can answer for the correctness of Wilson’s description (see vol. 
ii. p. 43) :—‘‘ The barn swallow of the United States has hitherto been considered by 
many writers as the same with the common chimney swallow of Europe. They differ, 
however, considerably in colour, as well as in habits, &c.” But even Macgillivray 
seems to have been impressed with the idea of their being the same ; fur he observes 
(vol. iii. p. 572) :—“ If this species be identical with the American bird bearing the same 
name, as it appears to be, although several ornithologists have considered it different, 
&e.” Iam one of the nonconformists ; for of its being a distinct species I have not 
a shadow of doubt; for not only does it differ materially in colour, but in size 
and habits. Never building in chimneys, it cannot, with propriety, be named the 
chimney swallow. As I have not a skin of Hirundo fulva to refer to, I must quote 
Wilson and Bonaparte’s Ornithology, in refutation of Mr. Gosse’s notion that it may 
be a bird of this species that has been remarked on by Mr. Osburn (vol. iv. p. 79:)— 


6976 Birds. 


“ The exterior tail-feather is slightly edged with whitish on the inner vane.” ‘‘ The most 
striking characteristic of Hirundo fulva is its even tail.” Yet Mr. Gosse says, that 
“ perhaps” the “long fork-tailed” swallow, noticed by his ornithological friend, may 
be the Hirundo fulva. Morevver, the latter is but “ five and a half inches long,” 
whereas the male of Hirundo americana — according to my notes — measures seven 
inches and two-tenths in length, and thirteen inches in extent of wings. But even 
the “ pale rufous ash-colour of the breast,” not to mention the “ whitish under parts ” 
of the Hirundo fulva, might have convinced Mr. Gosse that this could not possibly 
be the “seventh species of Hirundine,” observed by his Jamaica correspondent.— 
Henry Hadfield ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight, March 8, 1860. 

- Note on the Piramidigs of Jamaica (Chordeiles).—The peculiarity of flight in the 
piramidig, remarked on by Mr. Osburn, is very similar to what I had observed in the 
Caprimulgus americanus (Zool. 5803) : — ‘‘ It was about half-past four o’clock, p.m., 
when my attention was first directed toa flight of these most elegant birds; and 
a more beautiful sight, at least for an ornithologist, could not well be desired ; 
for some forty or fifty were to be seen within a very narrow circle hawking flies; and 
their manner of doing so, as well as their rapidity of flight,—in the distance so similar 
to that of the swallow, — at first inclined me to believe that it was a flock of swifts 
approaching, but I was soon undeceived. They were now to be seen passing 
over-head at the distance of thirty or forty yards. Their flight was circular, 
but they were constantly deviating from this order of progression by momentary and 
sudden darts after the flies ; often, when descending, raising the wings so as to bring 
the points nearly together, after the manner of the pigeon tribe. Their flight was 
most buoyant, and occasionally bat-like, &e.”— Id. 

Sun Bird: correction of an error. —I1 was in North America when my 
Indian notes were published, or I might have replied to the editorial remark 
on my notice of the Indian humming bird (Zool. 5797), which I had therein 
erroneously named the Mango humming bird ; but from the prefatory remarks, &c., it 
might have been gathered that my acquaintance with the birds of the Carnatic was 
but slight. Having consulted an old work, I found the Mango humming bird men- 
tioned as a native of the Indies, 2. e. West Indies. However, there can be no doubt 
it was the beautiful little sun bird that I so frequently observed — more than thirty 
years ago— hovering over the flowering shrubs in my garden at Trichinopoly, 
and which, to my unpractised eye, seemingly possessed all the characteristic features 
of the true humming bird. I also observe that the Rev. J. C. Atkinson, in a note ap- 
pended to his paper on “‘ Reason and Instinct,’ seems to demur to my construction 
(Zool. 5648) or interpretation of his statement. He pointedly refers to Montagu’s 
Dictionary, i.e. Ornithology, but ignores Temminck and the other authors quoted ; 
though their evidence directly tends to prove that the inspired writer’s “ words 
are characterized by precision and scientific accuracy,” and not mere “allusions and 
references,” as asserted. By consulting the Dictionary, not Montagu’s, it will 
be found that “yea,” in the sense used by Jeremiah, means —it is so. Here 
is no want of “ precision.” Then follows the expression — Knoweth her appointed 
times,” but this likewise, I am to be told is a mere “allusion.” Finally, there is the 
information, that they “observe the time of their coming,” 2. e. obey an instinctive 
law of Nature; a knowledge of which, is surely a proof of “Science.” Had 
the remarks of the reverend author been merely personal, they might have remained 


Birds. 6977 


unnoticed, but I’ would not have it even appear that the inspired writer had 
“no information ” on the subject.—Jd. 

Occurrence of the Goatsucker (Caprimulgus europeus).—On February 19th, when 
walking on the public road near Steep Hill, I was surprised at seeing a bird of this 
species fly past me.—Id. 

Birds observed between New York and Glasgow :— 

Great Tern (Sterna Hirundo). May 29th. On leaving the harbour of New York, 
observed some terns, belonging, I think, to this species; also a few gulls, but they 
were not identified. 

Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Thalassidroma Wilsont). Numbers of these birds were 
seen, and they continued with us till we reached the longitude of Cape Race, when 
they gradually disappeared. Though several lines had been suspended at the stern 
with a view of entangling them, none were secured. They frequently approached 
within a few yards of the steamer, so that the different shades of the plumage could be 
observed ; the wings are tinged and spotted with reddish brown. The tail appears 
slightly forked, or rather doubly emarginate, in consequence of the outstretched legs 
protruding considerably beyond it; and which might possibly lead a casual! observer— 
who had never before seen them on the wing — to mistake them for the fork tailed © 
petrel. On any refuse being thrown overboard they invariably gathered round it, but 
rarely settling on the water for more than a few seconds at a time, and then with up- 
raised wings. 

Skua Pirate Bird (Lestris catarractes), Saw what I believe to have been birds of 
this species, also a few gulls. On getting to the eastward of Newfoundland the former 
disappeared. 

Guillemot (Uria troile). When about a hundred and fifty miles to the southward 
of the Cape, numerous flocks of guillemots frequently passed within a few yards of the 
ship, apparently unconscious of danger. St. John’s appears to be one of their chief 
breeding places, vast numbers of their eggs being found scattered on the rocky and 
stony declivities of the head-lands of this bold coast; I saw bushels exposed for sale 
in July, 1857. 

Parasitic Skua (Lestris parasitica). On the 6th of June, when some degrees to the 
eastward of Newfoundland, and about half the passage had been accomplished, ob- 
served a white skua, belonging, I have no doubt, to this species. After hovering over 
the ship it alighted on the mast-head. On the 7th, five more were seen following the 
course of the steamer, but often at such an altitude as to appear mere specks in the 
sky. The long-pvinted wings were seemingly much curved, and I had also remarked 
on the previous day, when the bird was seated on the truck, that the centre tail-feathers 
are very elongated, which agrees with Temminck’s description, “longueur des filets, 
de 6 48 pouces.” He also observes of its habits, “ trés abondant sur les bancs de 
Terre Neuve.” 

White-winged Gull (Larus leucopterus). June 8th: there are generally a few 
gulls in sight, but to-day I observed them following in the wake of the vessel, and 
wheeling round as they approached the stern; their flight is most buoyant. It is the 
same species that I had noticed on the outward voyage in July, 1857, and which I 
have now no reason to doubt is the Larus leucopterus. The head, neck and belly are 
white; the upper parts cinereous or bluish gray. But its distinguishing mark, as I 
formerly observed, is the patch of white on the margin of the gray wing, which looks 


XVIII. 2B 


6978 Birds. 


as if cut out. Temminck had noticed this, for he says, “rémiges terminées par un 
grand espace blanc.” 

Ash-coloured Sandpiper (Tringa cinerea). When in soundings, off Newfoundland, 
several flocks of light gray birds, of this species T believe, — which Wilson says is in 
summer “ofa pale drab or dun-colour,’” — were seen skimming over the water, with a 
rapid and direct flight. Though frequently passing at no great distance, they were at 
times scareely discernible amid the white-capped undulating waves; so possibly they 
may have been the sanderling plover. 

Kittiwake (Larus tridactylus). June 9th: observed a few gulls of a different spe- 
cies. June 10th: the small gulls, seen yesterday, are still following us, and prove to 
be kittiwakes. The wings are elongated and tipped with black; the back of a darkish 
gray. Bill short and of a light horn-colour; the head and the whole of the under 
parts pure white. Feet and tarsi black. 

Gannet (Sula alba). June 11th, 6 a.m.: in view of the north-west coast of Ire- 
land; at 11,a.m., when abreast of Tory Island, saw some small flocks of gannets, 
flying in files like geese. 

Guillemot (Uria troile). June 11th: great numbers of these birds were seen ; 
and seemingly so little heeding the approach of the steamer, that they were frequently 
almost under the bows before taking wing or diving. 

It may appear somewhat strange that so few birds are seen in a voyage of two 
thousand miles, but it should be borne in mind that in the fathomless ocean their 
means of subsistence must be very precarious, and that the glaucous gull, which, ac- 
cording to Dr. Richardson (see Macgillivray, vol. ii. p. 560), swallows two auks at a 
meal, would necessarily in its wide-world wanderings be reduced to more humble fare, 
even vegetable diet,—a share of the gulf-weed, with the storin petrel, for instance. On 
the outward passage I did not meet with a greater variety, for though there was a dark 
gull seen, it was probably the young of Larus lencopterus, though apparently some- 
what larger than the adult, but the dusky plumage may have deceived me as to its 
size, for I was at first inclined to believe that it was an immature glaucons, which is 
described by Temminck as having ‘les nuances générales des teintes grises et 
brunes.”— Jd. 

On the Nidification of the Kingfisher (Alcedo Ispida).—Ornithologists are divided 
in opinion as to whether the fish-bones found in the cavity in which the kingfisher 
deposits its eggs are to be considered in the light of a nest, or as merely the castings 
from the bird during the period of incubation. Some are disposed to consider these 
bones as entirely the castings and feces of the young brood of the year before they 
quit the nest, and that the same hole being frequented for a succession of years, a 
great mass is at length formed; while others believe that they are deposited by the 
parents as a platform for the eggs, constituting in fact a nest ; in which latter view T 
fully concur, and the following are my reasons for so doing :—On the 18th of the past 
month of April, during one of my fishing excursions on the Thames, I saw a hole in 
a precipitous bank, which I felt assured was a nesting-place of the kingfisher, and on 
passing a spare top of my fly-rod to the extremity of the hole, a distance of nearly 
three feet, I brought out some freshly-cast bones of fish, convincing me that I was 
right in my surmise. The day following, the 9th of May, I again visited the spot with 
a spade, and, after removing nearly two feet square of the turf, dug down to the nest 
without disturbing the entrance-hole or the passage which led to it. Here I found 


Birds. 6979 


four eggs placed on the usual layer of fish-bones; all of these I removed with care, 
and then filled up the hole, beating the earth down as hard as the bank itself, and 
replacing the sod on the top in order that barge-horses passing to and fro might not 
put a foot in the hole. A fortnight afterwards the bird was seen to leave the hole 
again, and my suspicion was awakened that she had taken to her old breeding-quarters 
a second time, The first opportunity I had of again visiting this place, which was ex- 


- actly twenty-one days from the date of my former exploration and taking the eggs, I 


again passed the top of my fly-rod up the hole, and found not only that the hole was 
of the former lengih, but that the female was within. I then took a large mass of 
cotton wool from my collecting-box, and stuffed it to the extremity of the hole, 
in order to preserve the eggs and nest from damage during my again laying it open 
from above. On removing the sod and digging down as before, I came upon 
the cotton wool, and beneath it a well-formed nest of fish-bones, the size of a small 
saucer, the walls of which were fully half an inch thick, together with eight beautiful 
eggs and-the old female herself. This nest and eggs I removed with the greatest care ; 
and I now have the pleasure of exhibiting it to the Society, before its transmission to 
the British Museum, the proper resting-place of so interesting a bird’s nest. This 
mass of bones then, weighing seven hundred grains, had been.cast up and deposited 
by the bird or the bird and its mate, besides the unusual number of eight eggs, in the 
short space of twenty-one days. To gain anything like an approximate idea of the 
number of fish that had been taken to form this mass, the skeleton of a minuow, their 
usual food, must be carefully made and weighed; and this I may probably do upon 
some future occasion. I think we may now conclude, from what I have adduced, 
that the bird purposely deposits these bones as a nest, and nothing can be better 
adapted, as a platform, to defend the eggs from the damp earth. — John Gould ; in 
‘ Zoological Society’s Proceedings, 1859, p. 152. 

On the Habits of the Black-winged Stilt, as observed on its occurrence in Sussex.— 
On the 17th of May last a specimen of the black-winged stilt (Himantopus melano- 
plerus) was killed on the banks of a small pond about a mile from this place, in 
a partially enclosed district surrounded by unreclaimed moorland, near the junction of 
Midhurst and Bepton Commons. This is the first time that the stilt has ever been 
obtained or seen in the county of Sussex, and it would appear to be nearly equally 
searce in all parts of the British islands. Opportunities for observing the habits and 
manners of these rare and accidental visitors so seldom occur, that I shall make no 
apology for the length of this communication. Apart, however, from the rarity of the 
species, there are circumstances attending the occurrence of the individual in question 
which appear to me to be especially worthy of notice, as tending to throw some light 
on its remarkable, and, to the ordinary observer, grotesque external conformation. 
The pond to which I have alluded is very shallow; the depth of the water, even at 
fifteen paces from the shore, scarcely exceeding a foot. About that distance from the 
banks the surface was covered with numerous blossoms of the water crow-foot 
(Ranunculus aquatilis). On examining these next day, and frequently afterwards 
during last month, I found them inhabited by numerous minute Dipterous and 
Coleopterous insects (small flies, midges and beetles), comfortably nestled at the bot- 
tom of the flowers among the stamens, from which, indeed, none but the most delicate 
and attenuated instrument would be capable of extracting them without at the same 
time injuring the blussoms. Now, not one of our wading or swimming birds, except 
the stilt, possesses a beak perfectly adapted to this purpose. But the stilt has a bill 


6980 Birds. 


almost as finely pointed as that of a humming-bird; and those which make the 
nearest approach to it, as some among the smaller Tringe, want the accompaniment 
of length of limb — that unusual development of tibia and tarsus — to enable them to 
wade to a sufficient distance from the shore. The bird was first noticed by an intelli- 
gent lad, the son of a small farmer of the name of Pearson, while driving the cows 
home to be milked in the evening. It was then standing nearly up to its belly in the 
water, and rapidly extracting the insects from the flowers, or, as the boy supposed, 
picking the petals themselves. It allowed him to approach within twenty yards before 
it took flight, when it extended its long red legs behind it, after the manner 
of a heron, and, alighting again on the opposite bank, immediately recommenced 
wading out to the water-plants. Young Pearson then hastened home to his father, 
who lives at a short distance from the pond, and the latter, hurrying to the spot with a 
loaded gun, found the bird employed as before among the flowers of the water crow- 
foot. But it was now exceedingly shy and wary of the gun, flying from one side of 
the pond to the other, before Pearson could get within shot (but never uttering any 
cry or sound), so that at last he found it necessary to resort to stratagem, and 
to endeavour to “ stalk” the bird. This a newly-made-ditch and bank, one extremity 
of which approaches within a few yards of the water’s edge, enabled him to do suc- 
cessfully. On raising his head above the bank, just before he fired, he perceived the 
stilt within twenty yards of him, knee-deep in the water, in the midst of a cloud of 
gnats and midges, at which he was snapping right and left, much after the manner 
(to use Pearson’s own simile) of a dog when teased by the flies in hot weather. The 
bird, fortunately but little ivujured by the shot, was brought to me’on the following 
morning, and, on subsequent dissection, proved to be a female. The ovarium 
contained several eggs, the largest of which was about the sizeof a pea. The stomach 
was crammed with beetles and gnats in a half-digested state ; the elytra of the former 
showing that different species had been captured. After the first pleasurable sensa- 
tions on possessing and examining in the flesh a perfect specimen of so rare‘a visitor 
had passed away, I could not help being struck with the remarkable tenuity of the 
tips of the mandibles, as well as by the more uvbvions peculiarity from which the bird 
has derived its name (the extraordinary length of its legs); but after listening to the 
simple story of George Pearson and his son, I perceived that the mystery was sulved, 
and that here was a new instance of the wonderful adaptation of means to an end, of 
structure to habits, such interesting examples of which are continually presenting 
themselves to the observant naturalist.—A. E. Know ; in the ‘ Ibis, i. 395. 
Occurrence of the Cream-coloured Courser at Braunton Burrows.—While shooting 
on Braunton Burrows, about ten days ago, I observed a pair of strange birds in the 
air flying round one of the large ponds left by the recent rains: after a little while 
they settled on the margin of the pond; they were then about three hundred yards 
from me: by keeping out of sight behind the sand-hills I was able to get within a 
hundred yards of them, and I was greatly surprised, on looking over the brow of the 
hill, tosee a fine pair of the cream-coloured courser (Cursorius Isabellinus), one an 
adult male in splendid plumage, the other a female or young bird of the year in im- 
mature plumage; they were accompanied by a single lapwing, which kept inces- 
santly getting up and flying over their heads screaming, which caused the birds to be 
wild. I waited about half an hour behind the hill, in the hope that they would walk 
within shot, but they were wise and would not, so I tried to walk within shot of them, 
as I found sitting-still rather unpleasant, particularly as the day was exceedingly 


Birds. 6981 


windy and cold. The birds, however, would not wait, but flew off directly I showed 
myself, and pitched again close to the next pond some distance off; I followed, but could 
not get near them, and this time they flew right up into the clouds out of sight, 
uttering a peculiar cry. I am quite certain as to the identity of the species, else I 
would not trouble you with this. — Gervase F. Mathew ; Raleigh House, near Barn- 
staple, April 2, 1860. 

The Great Auk. — The great auk has not been met with by any of the modern 
Arctic Expeditions. I was told in South Greenland that some, twenty-five years ago a 
young specimen was obtained, but am not at all certain of the fact. The resident 
Europeans are quite aware of the value attached by naturalists to the bird, so have 
kept a sharp look-out for it. I have myself collected birds during my four arctic 
voyages, all of which are now in the museum of the Royal Dublin Society. * Tam 
not aware of there being any new species among them. — F. J. M‘Clintock ; ina 
letter to R. Champeen, Esq., Scarborough. 

Use of the Albatross.— My son, who has just been round the Cape, brought me, as 
a curiosity, the radius or small bone of the wing of an albatross, which is much in 
request among sailors, as making an excellent tube fora pipe. The one I have is 
long, perfectly smooth, and black from smoking. He has seen them considerably 
longer. The following jew d’esprit,” written by a friend of his on the subject, shows 
the practical turn that Jack’s mind has taken since the days of Coleridge’s ‘ Ancient 
Mariner : ’— 

A dead loss was the albatross 
The “ Ancient Mariner” slew; 
The modern Tar, acuter far, 
Makes him into a stew. 


Day after day did that silly old man 
Over his dead bird cry ; 
The “ Mid,” more ripe, of its wing makes a pipe, 
And smokes therein “‘ Bird’s-eye.” 
—E. Horton; Wick, Worcester, March 31, 1860. 

Account of a Visit to a Nesting-place of the Frigate-bird (Fregata Aquila, Z.).— 
On the Ist of January, 1858, we went off in a boat with four rowers to visit an island 
some four or five miles from Tigré Island, in the Bay of Fonseca, on the Pacific coast 
of Honduras. It is called Bird Island, and is not more than an acre in extent, and of 
an oblong shape. At one end the beach is sandy, and at low water one can walk 
across to another island close adjoining. At the other end the shore is rocky, and it is 
much the same at the sides, the beach being strewn with large volcanic stones. The 
surface of the island is some thirty or forty feet above the sea-level; it is covered with 
long grass, and there are also a few trees and low shrubs — mangroves (Rhizophora 
mangle, Linn.)—growing in places, especially about high water-mark. At a distance 
the most conspicuous object was a numerous flight of frigate-birds soaring over the 
island. As we approached, large white patches, caused by the droppings of the birds, 
became visible. We landed on the flat sandy beach, and in a few minutes I had shot 
a pair of tiger bitterns (Zigrtsoma tigrinum), which allowed me to approach without 
any difficulty. Besides these and the frigate-birds we saw no birds on the island, 
except a few pelicans, some large Accipitres and a single booby (Sula fusca), which 
‘had its nest on a low tree, in company with the frigate-birds. The whole island was 


6982 Birds. 


appropriated by the latter. Nearly every tree and bush, both high and low, was 
covered with birds and their nests. The latter were mostly composed of a few sticks 
laid crosswise, hardly as much in quantity as in the nest of the ring dove (Columba 
palumbus). Each nest contained a single egg, about the size of a hen’s egg, and of 
a chalky whiteness. We brought away nearly a hundred of them. Some were quite 
fresh, and others had been sat upon some days. Although the nests were upon low 
bushes, still they were placed just too high for one to reach the eggs without climbing. 
Many of the nests were on the mangrove bushes which were growing just above high 
water mark, so that we could see into them when standing on the bank of the island, 
which was ata higher level. Some of the birds were sitting on their nests, and others 
were perched upon the branches. By firing into the mass I might have killed 
a dozen at a shot; but shooting would have been an absurdity, for I could have ob- 
tained any number with a stick. The difficulty was to get them off their nests. 
Shouting had little or no effect, and even the report of a gun would only rouse a 
few, who would frequently settle again on the bushes. I threw some stones among 
them, without producing much result, and even tried to poke them off their seats with 
my gun; but they merely snapped their beaks at me in retaliation. All this time 
there were thousands of other birds soaring in the air a little way above our heads. I 
observed that the frigate-birds were of three different plumages. As there were birds 
of all three sorts sitting together, and with their nests in the same bushes, I concluded 
that they were of one and the same species — males, females and immature birds. 
Some have the head and neck white, the beak white, the feet and legs bluish white, 
the belly white, and the wing-coverts grayish brown. Others have the legs and feet 
black, and are black all over, with a greenish metallic tinge on the back. These have 
a bright scarlet pouch, which they inflate to the size of an ostrich’s egg while on the 
wing. The boatmen informed me that these were the male birds. Others, probably 
immature birds, had the head black, the throat white, and the legs and feet pink. All 
had long, black, forked tails. I obtained a specimen of each, but did not preserve 
them, as I had much to do, and besides they are stinking birds to handle, as bad as 
or worse than the turkey buzzard (Cathartes). The pelicans have also a breeding- 
place in Fonseca Bay, but it is in an island at some distance from the one in 
possession of the frigate-birds.—G. C. Taylor ; in the ‘ Ibis,’ i. 152. 

Great Mortality amongst Woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola).—W oodcocks have been 
extremely scarce this season, which scarcity is accounted for by the fact that hundreds 
of thousands of these birds were drowned during their migration towards these shores, 
on the night of the terrific gale in which the ‘ Royal Charter” was lost. In 
this county, which is not a bad locality for this species, scarcely a pair have been pro- 
cured ; sportsmen have hunted for this favoured and dainty morsel, but in vain. — S. 
P. Saville ; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge, March 14, 1860. 

A Kittiwake Gull (Larus tridactylus) driven Inland by the late Terrific Gales.— 
On the 28th inst., the day of the tremendous hurricane, a labouring man picked up, in 
an entirely exhausted state, a kittiwake, in adult plumage, by the side of the River 
Carn: the bird allowed itself to be approached and taken up, so grea t was its 
exhaustion.—Id. 

Dates of Arrival of Migratory Birds. — April 19th, 1859: I heard the blackeap 
and the willow wren in the garden. April 23rd: saw a pair of swallows hawking over 
the round pond; also saw a redstart. May Ist, Sunday afternoon: saw sand martins 
and house martins flying together about the heath. May 6th, at Chester: saw swifts 


Reptiles. 6983 


darting about and frequently resting on the old church-tower by the Cheese Mart; 
they seemed tired and resting after their long journey. September 2!st: hundreds of 
swallows resting on the heath.— Matthew Hutchinson ; Blackheath, Kent. 


The Snake Stone. By Epwarp Newman. 


I am rejoiced to find in Mr. Gosse an advocate for inquiry into the 
long-accepted belief in certain natural phenomena which we cannot 
test by the evidence of our senses, as we sit in our well-warmed 
museums, surrounded by the trophies of the bird-stuffer’s imagination. 
The belief in what we see is far more dangerous than the belief care- 
fully deduced from evidence of what we cannot see. Many a stuffed 
owl is more improbable than a sea serpent: a snake stone is a 
valuable truth by the side of a British black woodpecker, the skeleton 
of a mermaid or a talking fish. I have often been astonished at the 
ridicule thrown over facts that we cannot understand. Men of 
learning who laugh at a phenomenon they have not seen always 
remind me of giggling girls who titter when they hear two persons 
speak any language but their own: the cause of cachination is 
the same, simple ignorance. The ‘ Zoologist’ shall always be open 
to discussions on either of the subjects mentioned by Mr. Gosse, and 
it gives me great pleasure in this number to identify a sea serpent, and 
to prove, from the evidence of a witness whose veracity is un- 
questioned, the valuable properties of the snake stone. I quote 
Sir Emerson Tennant’s ‘ Ceylon.’ 

“The use of the Pambo-Kaloo or snake stone, as a remedy in cases 
of wounds by venomous serpents, has probably been communicated 
to the Singalese by the itinerant snake-charmers who resort to the 
island from the coast of Coromandel; and more than one well- 
authenticated instance of its successful application has been told to 
me by persons who had been eye-witnesses to what they described, 
On one occasion, in March, 1854, a friend of mine was riding, with 
some other civil officers of the Government, along a jungle path in 
the vicinity of Bintenne, when they saw one of two Samils, who were 
approaching them, suddenly dart into the forest and return, holding, 
in both hands, a cobra de capello which he had seized by the head 
and tail. He called to his companion for assistance to place it 
in their covered basket, but, in doing this, he handled it so in- 
expertly that it seized him. by the finger and retained its hold for a 


6984 Reptiles. 


few seconds, as if unable to retract its fangs. The blood flowed, and 
intense pain appeared to follow almost immediately; but with all 
expedition the friend of the sufferer undid his waistcloth, and took 
from it two snake stones, each of the size of a small almond, intensely 
black’ and highly polished, though of an extremely light substance. 
Then he applied one to each wound inflicted by the teeth of the ser- 
pent, to which the stones attached themselves closely, the blood that 
oozed from the bites being rapidly imbibed by the porous texture of 
the article applied. The stones adhered tenaciously for three or four 
minutes, the wounded man’s companion in the meantime rubbing his 
arm downwards from the shoulder towards the fingers. At length 
the snake stones dropped off of their own accord; the suffering 
appeared to have subsided; he twisted his fingers till the joints 
cracked, and went on his way without concern.” Here follows a 
similar instance, which there is no need of quoting: the question 
occurs, What is this snake stone? and does it perform the cure 
which it appeared to perform? There may be some difference of 
opinion on this second point; it may therefore be left an open one, 
but What is the snake stone? here is Sir Emerson Tennant’s 
reply. 

“ As to the snake stone itself, I submitted one, the application of 
which I have been describing, to Mr. Faraday, and he has communi- 
cated to me, as the result of his analysis, his belief that it is a piece 
of charred bone which has been filled with blood, perhaps several 
times, and then carefully charred again. Evidence of this is afforded, 
as well by the apertures of cells or tubes on its surface, as by the fact 
. that it yields and breaks under pressure and exhibits an organic 
structure within. When heated slightly, water rises in it, and also a 
little ammonia; and if heated still more highly in the air, carbon 
burns away, and a bulky white ash is left, retaining the shape and size 
of the stone. This ash, as is evident from inspection, cannot have 
belonged to any vegetable substance, for it is almost entirely composed 
" of phosphate of lime.” Mr. Faraday adds that “if the piece of 
matter has ever been employed asa spongy absorbent, it seems hardly 
fit for that purpose in its present state; but who can say to what 
treatment it has been subjected since it was fit for use, or to what 
treatment the natives may submit it when expecting to have occasion 
to use it ?”—Vol. 1. p. 200. 

“The probability is that the animal charcoal, when instantaneously 
applied, may be sufficiently porous and absorbent to extract the 
yenom from the recent wound, together with a portion of the blood, 


ry 


Reptiles. 6985 


before it has had time to be carried into the system ; and that the 
blood which Mr. Faraday detected in the specimen submitted to him 
was that of the Indian on whose person the effect was exhibited, on 
the occasion to which my informant was an eye-witness. The snake- 
charmers from the coast of Ceylon profess to prepare the snake stones 
for themselves and preserve the composition as a secret. Dr. Davey, 
on the authority of Sir Alexander Johnson, says the manufacture of 
them is a lucrative trade, carried on by the monks at Manilla, who 
supply the merchants of India, and his analysis confirms that of Mr. 
Faraday.” 
Epwarp NEWMAN. 


The Great Sea Serpent.—The following extract from the log of the “ British 
Banner,” which arrived at Liverpool on Sunday 18th March last, appeared in 
the ‘ Liverpool Daily Post’ of March 20th. “On the 25th April, in latitude 12° 7” 
east, and longitude 93° 52” south, felt a strong sensation as if the ship were trembling. 
Sent second mate to see what was up; the latter called out to me to go up the fore- 
rigging and look over the bows. I did so, and saw an enormous serpent shaking the 
bowsprit with his mouth. There was about thirty feet of the serpent out of the water, 
and I could see his tail in the water abaft of our stern; must have been at least three 
hundred feet long; was about the circumference of a very wide crinoline petticoat, 
with black back, shaggy mane, horn on his forehead, and large glaring eyes, placed 
rather near the nose, and jaws about eight feet long. He did not observe me, and 
continued to shake the bowsprit and to throw the sea alongside into a foam until, the 
former came clear away of the ship. The serpent was powerful enough, although the 
ship was carrying all sail, and going at about six knots at the time he attacked us, to 
stop her way completely. When the bowsprit with the jibboom sails and rigging went 
by the board, the monster swallowed the foretopmast' staysail and flying jib, with the 
greatest apparent ease; he also snapped the thickest of the rigging asunder like 
thread. He sheered off a little after this, and returned apparently to scratch himself 
against the side of the ship, making a most extraordinary noise resembling that on 
board a steamer when the boilers are blowing off. A whale breached within a mile of 
the ship at this time, and the serpent darted off after it like a flash of lightning, 
striking the vessel with his tail, and staving in all the starboard quarter galley. Saw 
no more of it, but caught a young one in the afternoon, and brought it ou to Mel- 
bourne.— William Taylor, Master, British Banner.” (The “ British Banner” arrived 
here on Sunday, and is now in the Albert Dock. Captain Taylor declares that the 
above statement is perfectly correct.—Hditor Daily Post). 

[It is impossible for any story to read more like a hoax than this, but I had ready 
means of procuring, through a friend at Lloyd’s, the information that there is such a 
ship as the “ British Banner,’ that she is commanded by Mr. William Taylor, 
a respectable and trustworthy gentleman, and that she did arrive at Liverpool 
on Sunday, 18th March, last past, and is now in the Albert Dock. Armed with this 
information, I wrote to Captain Taylor, who has replied in the most ‘courteous 


XVIII. 2¢ 


6986 Fishes. 


manner: he confirms the above statement, adding that he sent it to the“ Daily Post” 
himself, and adding also that the young one reported to have been caught was pre- 
sented to the Musenm at Melbourne, where it was thoroughly inspected and pro- 
nounced to be a veritable sea serpent.—Edward Newman]. 


An Account of the Bermudian Riband Fish. 
By J. Matuew Jones, Esq. 


[I have received the following particulars of this most interesting capture from an 
old and valued correspondent of the ‘ Zoologist.’ It must be read in connexion with 


a previous note on the same animal in the April number of the ‘ Zoologist’ 
(Zool. 6934).— Edward Newman]. 


Order ACANTHOPTERYGII. 
Family CEPoLIDA. 
‘Genus GYMNETRUS. 


Body attenuate, compressed, naked, tuberculate ; cuticle, a silvery 
covering of metallic lustre. Length, from facialto caudal extremities, 
sixteen feet seven inches. Depth, at fourteen inches from facial 
extremity, nine inches, and increasing gradually to near the ventral 
extremity of the stomach, when it attained its greatest depth of 
eleven inches, and then decreased by degrees to the caudal termina- 
tion. Width, at the same distance and through the spinal column, 
two and a half to three inches. 

These dimensions are in the extreme. 

From the frontal extremity of the caput (excepting a slight depres- 
sion at the occiput) to the position at which the above dimensions of 
depth and width were taken, a gradual elevation of the dorsal ridge 
took place, and from the capital portion of this ridge arose at equal 
distances from each other, a series of ten or eleven erect, quill-like, 
flexile filaments, from two to three feet in extent, gradually tapering 
from base to apex, and possessing, in the case of the three longest, 
lanceolate points. These capital filaments were, with the exception 
of the three anterior ones, unconnected by membrane. From this 
series of lengthened filaments, all along the back, from head to tail, 
extended a series of intermittent fins, so closely situate to each other 
as to present the appearance of a single fin, and having the spinose 
rays of each individual fin joined by the connecting membrane. The 
ventral fins were entirely destroyed, save a portion of the right ven- 


Fishes. 6987 


tral, which is sufficient to show that it was composed of two consistent 
bony rays, which probably extended some distance from the body and 
must have formed a powerful engine of direction. The pectorals were 
almost entirely destroyed, although the base of the right pectoral was 
sufficiently complete to enable me to state that it contained twelve 
spines. Anal and caudal fins absent. 

Head truncated, compressed ; facial outline of a dark colour. 

Mouth so damaged as not to be positively determinable as regards 
form and appearance, but from the portions of jaw still remaining I 
should pronounce it malacostomous. 

HKyes fourteen lines in diameter, slightly depressed. Irides three 
and a half lines in width, of a bright silver, encircling pupils of a 
somewhat oval shape, and, in colour, a light transparent blue. 

Stomach: intestinal chamber, extending from beneath the gills to 
the anal extremity, five feet. Unfortunately this chamber had been 
opened and its contents partially injured before I saw the specimen, 
but a large proportion of milt, mtestine, &c., has been preserved, 
including the major portion of the swimming bladder, which for so 
large a fish may be considered small. Its colour a bright scarlet. 
This swimming bladder contained a large amount of oily matter, and 
a piece thrown on the ruffled surface of the water immediately stilled 
the agitation. 

Gill-rays eight in number, four to a side, crimson, flabellate ; the 
anterior pairs furnished with double rows of flabels, having the inter- 
nals white, and armed on their inner sides with minute dark-like 
appendages. 

Gill-covers bony, radiate, not entirely covering the gills. 

Teeth : no appearance of any. 

In concluding the above description, I must not omit to state that 
it was a male fish, and from the extremely fragile nature of its various 
parts, I may venture to express an opinion that it had by no means 
attained maturity. I may also remark that my measurements were 
taken twenty-two hours after death, during which time it had lain ex- 
posed on the rocky shore. 

This genus of acanthopterygious fishes is of a form so thin and flat, 
in proportion to its length, as to have obtained among the ancient 
ichthyologists the name of “ riband fish.” Although several species 
are known to Science, yet they are all of diminutive size in compari- 
son with the individual now obtained; Gymnetrus Hawkenii, G. 
Banksii and G. Glesne are occasionally found in the British seas. 

So little appears to be known of this singular tribe of fishes that, 


6988 Fishes, 


even in the present advanced state of marine zoology, their habits, 
haunts, &c., remain blanks in the Book of Nature, and will probably 
long continue so, unless opportunities like the present should occur, 
to enable us to add new facts in the history of these remarkable 
creatures. 

The most notable fact, however, in connexion with the capture of 
the present specimen, will doubtless be the interest and attraction it 
will produce in the scientific world, for most assuredly we have in the 
specimen now before us many of the peculiarities, save size, with 
which the appearance of that hitherto apochryphal monster, the 
“reat sea serpent,” as detailed by navigators, is invested. The 
lengthened filaments crowning the caput, joined anteriorly by the 
connecting membrane, and extending to the shoulders, would, viewed 
from a vessel’s deck, present to the spectator the mane so accurately 
described as a singular feature in the gigantic specimen seen by 
Captain McQuhe, R.N. and officers of H.M.S. “ Dedalus.” Then 
again, the rapidity with which that individual specimen moved 
through the water, would coincide with the capabilities of a member 
of this genus, for the motive power produced by such an extent 
of tail, coupled with the extremely compressed form of body from the 
head throughout, must be immense. ; 

Here then we have a partial elucidation of the various statements 
which have at intervals appeared in the columns of the united presses 
of England and America, emanating from the pens of travellers, and 
usually headed—“ Occurrence of the Great Sea Serpent,”—criticized, 
however, in an ungenerous manner, and always exposed to an 
unmerited ridicule at the hands of the many, but, nevertheless, firmly 
believed in by the few, who have patiently waited to see the day 
when the mystic cloud which has hitherto veiled the existence of the 
maned denizen of the deep should vanish with the suspicion of the 
sceptic, and exhibit more clearly the truth of the assertions of those 
ill-used men, who, endeavouring like useful members of society to 
extend the cause of natural knowledge by publishing candid accounts 
of what their eyes have seen, have always met with an amount of con- 
tempt and reproach, sufficient to silence for ever the pen of many a 
truthful writer. 

I am sorry I have not the No. of the ‘ Illustrated London News’ at 
hand in which Captain McQuhe’s graphic statement appeared, as it 
would have afforded me an opportunity of particularising other © 
features in connexion with his specimen and the present one. The 


Fishes. 6989 


facts, however, regarding the mane-like appendage, and the rapidity 
of motion to which I have alluded, are still fresh in my memory. 

My best thanks are due to Mr. George ‘Trimingham, the captor, for 
the generous manner in which he placed the fish at my disposal. 


J. MATHEW JONES. 


Note on an Ophioid Fish lately taken in the Island of Bermuda, 
which appears to be new to Science. By Epwarp Newman, 
Memb. Imp. L.C. Acad. 


I hope that zoologists will not consider me assuming the office of 
a teacher if 1 add a few memoranda on the family of fishes to which 
Mr. Jones’ specimen belongs: if such shouid, however, unfortunately 
prove the case,—should my readers remind me that my editorial 
privileges scarcely extend to the right of appending notes to the pro- 
ductions of a much more able ichthyologist than myself,—I can only 
plead in mitigation that this family of fishes is one 


“In which my spirit doth take delight,” 


from their evident approach to that much-abused sea serpent, in the 
existence of which I have ever entertained the most unwavering 
belief. 

The family Cepolide or riband fishes is so named from the Cepola 
rubescens of Linneus, the red snake-fish of Couch, described in the 
fourteenth volume of the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ page 76, a small 
snake-like fish not uncommon off the coast of Cornwall, but of which 
the largest preserved specimen is less than twenty inches in length: 
the body is very long, thin, compressed laterally and riband-shaped, 
not cylindrical, like the body of a snake, and the dorsal, caudal and anal 
fins appear to combine in forming a continuous fringe of fin extending 
from behind the head to the extreme caudal extremity, and thence 
returning along the belly and reaching nearly to the throat. ) 

Of this family six species, belonging to as many genera, have been 
found in the British seas: —1, the red snake-fish (Cepola rubescens) ; 
2, the Vaagmer or Deal-fish (Trachypterus bogmarus) ; 3, the silvery 
hair-tail (Trichiwrus lepturus); 4, the scabbard-fish (Zepidopus 
argyreus); 5, Hawken’s Gymnetrus (Gymnetrus Hawkenii) ; and 6, 
Banks’ Gymnetrus (Regalecus Banksit), which I think identical with 


6990 Fishes. 


the Ophidium Glesne of Ascanius, in the ‘Copenhagen Memoirs’ for 
1776, as also with the Gymnetrus Banksii of Cuvier and Valenciennes, 
‘ Poissons,’ tome x. p. 865; with the Regalecus Banksii of Richard- 
son, in the ‘Second Supplement to Yarrell’s British Fishes’; and 
perhaps also with the Gymnetrus Grillii of Linroth, described 
in 1798. 

Sir John Richardson seems to regard the genera Gymnetrus and 
Regalecus as identical, and gives the latter the preference on the 
ground of priority. Cuvier and Valenciennes, however, retain the 
more classically-derived word Gymnetrus, rejecting Regalecus, a 
Norse-latin compound signifying the “ king of the herrings,” on account 
of its barbarity. I think the views of these naturalists may be met 
by adopting both genera, treating the species Hawkenii as the type of 
Gymnetrus, and Banksii as the type of Regalecus, more especially as 
Sir John Richardson’s characters of Regalecus, now immediately to 
be quoted, agree minutely with Banksii, but by no means with 
Hawkenii. 

REGALECUS. —“ Greatly compressed and elongated sword-shaped 
fishes. Teeth minute or none. Dorsal fin rising on the occiput like 
a plume. Caudal said to be continuous with the dorsal, and to 
embrace the point of the tail, but seldom seen entire, and of doubtful 
form in most species; ventrals uniradiate and very long, edged with 
membrane which expands at the end. Branchiostegals seven. A 
very long slender tapering stomach, of which three-fourths is cecal ; 
pancreatic cceca simple and very numerous. Scales microscopical in 
the nacry epidermis, also scattered osteoid tubercles on the skin.” 

A great number of individuals referrible to this genus have been 
taken at different times in the British seas, and I think it is commonly 
accepted that they constitute but a single species: of this, however, 
there is no means of judging with any degree of precision. All the 
specimens appear immature and all imperfect; they vary extremely 
in length, the shortest I recollect having been recorded in the 
‘Zoologist, measuring twelve feet, and the longest twenty-four feet, 
and their fin-rays, as in the minnow fry, have not acquired that 
solidity which is the character of adult age. These juveniles clearly 
indicate the existence of some monster denizens of the deep which 
have not yet gladdened the eyes of the scientific. The best descrip- 
tion of any individual specimen I have seen is that by Messrs. 
Hancock and Embleton, read before the Tyneside Naturalists’ Club, 
and published in the ‘ Annals of Natural History’ for July, 1849. 
The following abridged extracts from this description are reprinted 


Fishes. 6991 


from Sir John Richardson’s ‘Second Supplement to Yarrell’s British 
Fishes,’ a work in which will be found an admirable reswmé of all that 
is known of these interesting fishes. The description cited was made 
from a specimen taken at Cullercoats on the 26th of March, 1849. 
“The fish, though much injured and greatly faded, was fresh and 
had a uniform silvery gray colour, except a few irregular streaks and 
dark spots towards the fore part of the body, and these were remains 
of a bright iridescence about the pectoral fin and head, a blue tint 
predominating. The body is excessively compressed, like a double- 
edged sword-blade, its greatest thickness being below the middle, and 
the dorsal edge is sharper than the ventral one. The total length 
when the mouth is retracted is twelve feet three inches, and the depth 
immediately behind the gills eight inches and a half; two feet farther 
back the greatest depth of eleven inches and a quarter is attained, and 
at the end of the dorsal fin it has diminished to three. The skin is 
covered with a silvery matter in which the scales are invisible to the 
naked eye, but which is easily detached and adheres to anything it 
comes in contact with. Submitted to the microscope, this nacre was 
found to consist of scales like those on the wing of a moth. Round 
the hind border of the operculum there is a broad dusky patch; a 
crescentic dark mark exists above the eye, and there are eight or nine 
narrow oblique streaks on the side, which diminish to mere spots 
beyond the vent. ‘The lateralline descends gradually from the supra- 
scapula to within two inches of the ventral profile at the vent, and 
continues descending as it proceeds to the distal end of the fish. 
Four flattened ridges, each more than an inch in breadth, reach from 
the head to the tail above the lateral line, the longest and uppermost 
commencing near the eye. The skin is studded with numerous bony 
tubercles not regularly arranged, and in the neighbourhood of the 
head they are replaced by depressed indurations. On the ventral edge 
the tubercles are numerous and have hooked tips pointing towards the 
tail. The head is small, measuring only nine inches to the gill-opening ; 
the orifice of the mouth is circular, and capable of being protruded 
two or three inches by the depression of the mandible: the tongue is 
small, smooth and prominent ; there are no teeth, and the interior of 
the mouth is black. Giull-plates proportionally large; preoperculum 
crescentic, with the lower horn prolonged forwards to the articulation 
of the mandible ; operculum curved elliptically posteriorly, ending 
obtusely. Branchiostegals seven. Branchial arches four, with tubercular 
bristly rakers. Pharyngeal bones above and below furnished with seta- 
ceous teeth. The dorsal fin extends from between the front of the orbits 


6992 Fishes. 


to within three inches of the distal extremity of the fish. The twelve 
anterior rays were stated by the captors to have been about fourteen 
inches long, and furnished with a membrane on their posterior edges, 
which grew wider upwards, somewhat like a peacock’s feather. The 
ends were broken off, but a continuous membrane connected their 
bases, and their shafts appeared ragged with the remains of the torn 
membrane. In addition to these there were 268 other rays whose 
acute points overtopped the connecting membrane, or 280 dorsal rays 
in all, About the middle of the fish, where the dorsal rays are highest, 
excepting those on the head, they measure upwards of three inches 
and a half, and at the termination of the fin their height has increased 
to one inch. Behind the termination of the dorsal fin, the edge of the 
back slopes rapidly downwards to within an inch of the line of the 
belly, and then forms a rounded point, which is the distal extremity of 
the fish. Both the upper and under edges of this extremity are very 
thin, and the fishermen insisted that when they took the fish this part 
was entire, and that there was no tail-fin whatever. The edges may 
may be pressed together, and seem to fit. The pectorals are attached 
low, and contain eleven rays. The ventral fins were represented by a 
pair of very strong straight spines broken short to the length of four 
inches, but were said to have been originally twice that length, having 
even then broken ends ; a membranous edge was visible at their bases. 
The vertebre, judging from elevations obscurely seen through the 
muscles, were reckoned at 110. Fin-ray formula, D. 280, V.1, P.11, 
Vertebre, 110 ?—Hancock and Embleton I. c.” 

In the foregoing description are many points of similarity to 
Mr. Jones’ fish, but still there are other points in which the two fishes 
are so decidedly dissimilar that I venture to consider them distinct, 
and to propose for the Bermudian fish the name of Regalecus Jonesii, 
as a well-merited tribute to the zeal and industry of the accomplished 
naturalist who has favoured me with the description. I am sure that 
naturalists will pardon the omission of specific characters, as I could 
only copy those which Mr. Jones has so admirably given in. the pre- 
ceding paper. The characters J shall notice are differential only. 


REGALECUS JoNEsu, Newman. 


In Regalecus Jonesii the flexile rays constituting the plume on the 
crown of the head, with the exception of the three anterior ones, are 
connected by membrane, and the three which are so connected 
have lanceolate points. In R. Banksii all these rays are connected 
by membrane: the first is clavate at the extremity, the second, third 


Fishes. 6993 


and fourth acute, and the seven following ones clavate. In Regalecus 
Jonesii there is a series of dorsal fins all along the back, the rays in 
each fin being connected by membrane, but the fins not being con- 
nected with each other. In Regalecus Banksii there is but one fin, 
and that is continuous from head to tail In Regalecus Jonesii the 
ventrals have two consistent bony rays; in Regalecus Banksii they 
have but one. These differences, combined with the difference of 
habitat, Regalecus Jonesii in the North Atlantic Ocean and Regalecus 
Banksii in the German Ocean seem to render it apparent that the two 
species are perfectly and permanently distinct. 

In reference to the last question mooted by Mr. Jones, the 
similarity of Regalecus Jonesii to Captain M‘Quhe’s sea serpent, I do 
not consider myself competent to express an opinion. I am quite 
willing for the present to allow every sea serpent to hold on its own 
course ; hereafter a better opportunity may be afforded on comparing 
and arranging the conflicting evidence already published in the 


‘ Zoologist.’ 
Epwarp NEWMAN. 


Occurrence of the Sea Bullhead at Montrose.— In the third edition of ‘ Yarrell’s 
British Fishes,’ recently published, mention is made of the discovery in Dingle Har- 
bour of an example of Fabricius’ sea bullhead (Acanthocottus greenlandicus), and 
a figure and description of the species are given. A characteristic specimen of the 
same fish was taken two years ago in the basin of the South Esk, at Montrose, from 
a salmon-net, by William Beattie, Esq., Secretary to the Montrose Natural History 
and Antiquarian Society. The fish may therefore be considered as more than 
an accidental visitor of the British seas, and other examples will doubtless soon be 
_ found by the active and intelligent promoters of Natural-History museums in our 
 sea-ports.—John Richardson. 

: Singular Account of the Sail Fluke (Zeugopterus velivolans).—Dyr. Baikie, writing 

from the banks of the Niger, referred to by Dr. Alexander Duguid, of Kirkwall, for 
- information respecting the very curious habits of this fish, and that gentleman, on being 
applied to, most kindly sent a sketch made by a friend of his, said to be very correct. 
He also furnished the following particulars of the history of the fish. This fluke, he 
says, is highly prized as an article of food, its flesh being firm and white. It does not 
take a bait, and he only once saw it caught in a net, but it comes ashore spontaneously, 
with its tail erected above the water, like a boat under sail, whence its name. This it 
does generally in calm weather, and on sandy shores, and the country people residing 
near such places train their dogs to catch it. The following letter was written by Mr. 
Robert Scarth, of North Ronaldshay, the northernmost island of the Orkney group, 
where the sail fluke is very common. “It is never caught by hook or by net, and I 
have in vain set ground lines for it in the South Bay, baited with lug-worms, limpets 


XVIII. ID 


6994 : Fishes. 


and sellocks, neither have flounder or skate nets drawn there inclosed a sail fluke. It 
seldom comes to the shore earlier than October or later than April, though it is often 
driven by storms on the beach, entangled among sea-weed. The great supply is, how- 
ever, obtained in the following manner. In the winter and early spring a pair of black- 
headed gulls take possession of the Bay, drive away all interlopers, and may be seen 
at daybreak every morning beating from side to side on the wing, and never both in 
one place, except in the act of crossing as they pass. The sail fluke skims the ridge 
of the wave towards the shore with its tail raised over its back, and when the wave 
recedes is left on the sand, into which it burrows so suddenly and completely that 
though I have watched its approach, only once have I succeeded in finding its burrow. 
The gull, however, has a surer eye, and, casting like a hawk, pounces on the fluke, 
from which by one stroke of his bill it extracts the liver. If not disturbed the gull no 
sooner gorges this luscious morsel than it commehces dragging the fish to some out- 
lying rock, where he and his consort may discuss it at leisure. By robbing the black- 
backs I have had the house supplied daily with this excellent fish in weather during 
which no fishing-boat could put to sea. Close to the beach of South Bay a stone 
wall has been raised to shelter the crops from the sea spray. Behind this we posted a 
smart lad, who kept his eye on the soaring gulls. The moment one of the birds made 
its well-known swoop, the buy rusbed to the sea-strand, shouting with all his might. 
He was usually in time to scare the gull away and secure the fluke, but in almost every 
case with its liver torn out. If the gnll by chance succeeded in carrying his prey 
off to the rock, he and his partner set up a triumphant cackling, as if deriding the dis- 
appointed lad. Seals often pursue these flukes into the Bay, and frequently leave 
serviceable morsels unconsumed. The sail fluke exhibits its gambols most frequently 
before a storm, or when a thaw succeeds a frost. It is the most delicious fish of our 
seas, but loses its flavour by a day’s keeping.” —Sir John Richardson, in 2nd Supplement 
to‘ Yarrell’s British Fishes, February 19, 1849. 

[At present the talented describer of this new British fluke has not had the oppor- 
tunity of examining a specimen, and does not appear to feel much confidence that the 
species is absolutely new to Science.—Z,. N.]. 


Note on Pyrgoma, a Parasitic Cirripede. — It is well known that Pyrgoma 
anglicum, a little sessile barnacle, is always found parasitically seated upon the mar- 
gin of the corallum of certain Caryophylliacea. In my account of Caryophyllia 
Smithii (‘ Actinol. Brit.’ p. 315), I have observed that “two are sometimes found on 
the same coral.” But I have just been presented, through the kindness of Mrs. 
Thynne, of Regent’s Park, with specimens of the corallum of this species, one of which 
is crowned with no fewer than nine, the other with eleven, of the little Pyrgomata. 
The appearance of the ovate barnacles, each with its orifice crowded all round the 
edge of the coral, is exceedingly curious and novel. — P. H. Gosse; Torquay, 
March 31, 1860. 


Insects. 6995 


Observations on rearing Lepidopterous Larve.* 


Havine during the past season given a good deal of my spare time 
to rearing larve from the egg, I now venture to send you some notes 
.of my proceedings, in the hope that—though they contain nothing 
wonderful or new—they may be of use to encourage other beginners 
to do something in the same way. Till lately I used to throw away 
in despair the eggs laid by captured moths, but this year I took an 
entirely opposite course, and kept every egg I could obtain, until, 
towards the end of summer, I was fairly beaten by numbers. 
However, I have succeeded in bringing on to the state in which 
they should at present naturally be nearly sixty broods, varying in 
number of individuals from 3 to 83 x 30, and comprising more than 
forty species,—having let but one species of all that I took in hand 
slip through my fingers. The apparatus I have used is that recom- 
mended in the ‘ Entomologist’s Annual’ for 1855,—the flower-pot and 
glass cylinder,—and for a preparatory academy it answers admirably, 
giving to the juveniles light and security, and to their owner a much 
better opportunity of watching their forms and movements, whilst 
they are small and easily hidden, than any less open case can afford. 
It is also cheap; small flower-pots of course are not costly, and, as to 
glass cylinders, I use lamp-chimneys of old-fashioned forms, which the 
chandler was glad enough to get off his hands at a very low rate. 
When sand, in which to stick the food-plant, cannot be easily pro- 
cured, fine earth will answer very well, and—if the remark be not 
thought too obvious—I may hint that, next to a growing plant, a young 
shoot on a bit of old wood or stem will last fresh longer than anything 
else; however, where possible, I always have (instead of leaves or 
twigs plucked off) a small growing plant, ready potted, before the 
larve are hatched. A little trouble spent in picking up, during one’s 
rambles, seedling oaks, birches, thorns, or clean healthy plants of 
bedstraw, plantain, &c., will save one a great deal of after-trouble in 
changing food, as well as lessen the risk of injuring one’s stock: a 
growing plant, if properly managed and proportioned to the number of 
mouths put upon it, will last good till most larve are big enough to be 
easily and safely removed to their finishing-cage: this may still be a 
flower-pot, larger of course than the first, and covered with leno, 


* Reprinted from the ‘ Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer. The author is 
anonymous in the ‘ Intelligencer,’ but I take on myself the responsibility of vouching 
for his statements, being well acquainted with his accuracy and veracity.— Edward 
Newman. 


6996 Insects. 


stretched (for the sake of more light and better ventilation) domewise 
over a couple of bent canes, the ends of which are stuck into the 
earth in the pot, and fastened with—not string—but an elastic band. 
Of course cages with glass sides would be best for continuing one’s 
observations, but, where one has a number of species feeding at one 
time, a corresponding number of cages would entail a great expense. 
My nursery has, for the most part, been a room facing the East, the 
window being kept partially open night and day; a few things I put 
out of doors, not so much for their own health as that of the plants on 
which they were feeding, and which would have needed renewal 
oftener if kept in the house. 

Perhaps I ought to say that my experience has been chiefly confined 
to Bombyces and Geometre, and for these reasons :—I do not sugar, 
and I cannot induce the few Noctue that do fall into my hands to 
part with their eggs, whilst I find Geometre to be, in this respect, 
almost as generous as Bombyces. A female moth shut up in a pill- 
box is almost sure to give you eggs, and if a sprig of the proper food 
be put in with her she will deposit them on that; you have then, on 
noticing a change in their colour, only to place sprig and all on the 
growing plant, and the larve will walk on to their pasture, without 
your having to hunt them about with a feather or camel’s-hair pencil, 
neither of which perhaps feels quite so soft to their skins as it does to 
our own. When the food is unknown I think it is best to allow the 
larve to be hatched in the pill-box, and then give them their choice 
by putting in small bits of six or seven different things, such as oak, 
sallow, birch, bedstraw, chickweed and dandelion (the food of allied 
species in some degree guiding one’s selection) ; in a few hours, except 
perhaps in the case of some aristocrats who are squeamishly select, 
sundry little holes and notches will appear in the object of their 
choice, and their owner’s feverish anxiety may begin to subside. It 
is a guess of mine that most of the unknown larve feed on 
low plants, for were they to be found on shrubs or trees they 
would have been dislodged thence before now by some energetic 
collector. 

Below is a list of the species about which I have at present any 
remarks to offer; but, before I stop my pen, I wish to be allowed—as 
a “mere collector”— to give a shove to the movement now on foot, 
towards giving us improved descriptions. 

While some species seem fixed to one type, for others it is not 
enough to describe,—not to say a single larva,—but any number of 
individuals, if belonging to the same brood; and in others again 


Insects. 6997 


locality appears to cause a good deal of variation; hence probably 
arises the inaccnracy to be seen in descriptions which come to us 
Stamped with the authority of great names. On the other hand, notes 
made by detached entomologists on single species sometimes fail in 
defining what they intend from want of more extended knowledge in 
the writers, for much of the value of a description depends on its 
being made with an eye to Allied species. For instance, in a great 
many loopers, one finds the following pattern prevail:—a row of six 
dorsal markings from fifth to tenth segment (the four middle ones 
being best defined and coloured, and the first and last more in- 
distinct), running into continuous parallel lines on the front seg- 
ments, and contracting into a line, or being repeated with fainter 
outlines and more stunted proportions, on the hinder segments ; 
and it is easy to understand how, where the colouring is not very 
different, a curtailed description of one species may be made to suit 
two or three others. 

But here I had better stop, and say no more than that I for 
one should be very glad if any one, competent to do so, would 
publish a few hints on word-painting as applied to larve, giving 
perhaps some headings, under which the different parts of the 
description might come; future discoveries might, in that case, 
be more satisfactorily chronicled than the two or three unfortunate 
“unknowns” upon whom I have “ tried my ’prentice hand.” 


O.* Smerinthus Tilie. All the pupze which produced the parent 
moths were dug at elms, yet the larve fed up twice as fast on lime as 
on elm. What makes the larve of large species so apt to sicken and 
die off, apparently without cause? All three species of Smerinthus, 
as well as Cerura vinula, have served me in this way, whilst I have 
reared brood after brood of small things without losing a single 
larva. , 

Cherocampa Elpenor. This year I was introduced for the first 
lime to the green variety of this larva—a much handsomer fellow than 
his dingy brother. I noticed that a pupa in one of my cages worked 
itself out of its loose cocoon, and lay quite bare on the moss for six or 
seven weeks before the appearance of the perfect insect. This can 
hardly be its habit naturally ? 

Cossus ligniperda. The following dates seem to confirm the notion 


* ©. prefixed to the name of a species indicates that it has been bred from 
the egg. 


6998 Insects. 


that the time passed in the larva state is two years: October 29, 1857, 
I found in an oak tree several larve an inch and a quarter long, but, 
despairing of being able to keep them alive, I left them where they 
were; September 22, 1858, I visited the same tree, and found, in 
exactly the same part of it, several larve nearly full grown, being (as 
I suppose) the same I had seen in a juvenile stage eleven months 
before: I now boxed six or seven, kept them in sawdust through the 
winter, and on examining their cage some time last spring found the 
cocoons contained pupe. Again, early in August, 1859, | found in 
the same tree some little larvee about three quarters of an inch long— 
just big enough to have been hatched six or seven weeks previously, 
and to grow in a month or two to the size of those I found in 
October, 1857. 

O. Dicranura vinula. Three larve, which I succeeded in rearing out 
of a small family of six, differed from the-figures and descriptions I 
have seen in having on the eighth segment, the dark dorsal stripe 
running down in an elongated patch far below the spiracles, though 
not enclosing either of them, to the middle of the second proleg; and 
on the ninth a smaller and more irregular patch formed by an offshoot 
from the white border of the dorsal stripe, and enclosing two dark 
spots. Another larva, captured when just about to spin, gave me an 
opportunity of admiring the ’cuteness of some pirate of an ichneumon ; 
she had arranged from fifteen to twenty eggs in little irregular rows in 
the folds between the third, fourth, fifth and sixth segments, just where 
poor “ Puss” could not touch them, and where they were completely 
hidden when it contracted itself in fear or repose; so well were they 
hidden that it was with very geeat difficulty that 1 succeeded, after 
many attempts, in picking them off with a pair of pincers. These eggs 
were black, and the little white maggots in them had just begun to 
poke out their heads, ready to begin operations as soon as their 
victim should have thatched them in for the winter. 

Notodonta camelina. A pupa dug in the winter did not produce 
the moth till late in July, though, in the same box, Drymonia dodonea 
and Peridea trepida came out on May 14th, 15th and 16th. A larva, 
taken from a hazel-bush, assumed a pale lilac tint at its last moult, 
with a darker dorsal line of the same colour. 

O. Cilix spinula. This funny little larva seems to be very 
stationary during the first half of its life, eating away the upper skin 
only of the hawthorn-leaf on which it is located, and accumulating a 
little heap of frass, something like that to be seen in the mines of some 
of the Micros. 


Insects. 6999 


Nonagria Typhe. The pupez occurred in vast numbers this 
summer in some railway cuttings in my neighbourhood ; in fact, it 
was hard to find a plant of Typha not tenanted by one of them. 
It appears to me that the larvae— unless they leave the leaf-stem in 
which they have been feeding to spin up m an old mace-stem—make 
their cocoon in their mine just below the point where the flags begin 
to spread apart from one another; by cutting out, therefore, seven or 
eight inches of the flag-stem at this part the pupe may be collected 
rapidly and safely, without the trouble or risk of opening the flags to 
see where they are; and by being kept in their cocoons they are pre- 
served from the danger of drying up: I lost but three out of twenty- 
four; that is, only one in eight—a very small proportion. 

Agrotis Ripe. From twenty to thirty larve, collected on sand-hills 
in September, 1858, I bred on the 10th of June, 1859, a single Agrotis, 
which proved to be a fine dark variety of this species. Why the rest 
died is a puzzle, for they were kept out of doers in a large pot full of 
sand, and fed on growing plants of hound’s tongue, the food on which 
they were found ; however, as A. valligera and A. Tritici, though 
captured in May and kept in sand, and fed on growing plants, lose 
three-fourths of their numbers before the perfect insects appear in 
August and September, I suppose this dying off is a family failing. 
The larva from which A. Ripe came may be thus described :— 
Ground-colour very variable, from a light pea-green to a yellowish 
gray (one larva I noticed, which, like Richard the Second’s fops, 
rejoiced in being green for half his length and gray the other half) ; 
dorsal line a deep tint of the ground-colour, enclosing a very thin light 
line ; thr_e fine waved subdorsal lines, not quite so dark as the dorsal, 
and placed close together just above the spiracles; spiiacles black, 
and placed in a band rather darker than the ground-colour; spots 
dark and shining ; head and plate of second segment pale brown. I 
think some of these larve hybernate in the sand at a depth of several 
inches; they give over feeding by the end of October. 

Dianthecia carpophaga. This larva, which those who have gardens 
can feed on the seeds of rose campion (Lychnis Coeli-rosa ?), has 


swarmed this summer ; one could not a pick a dozen flowers of Silene 


inflata without finding their traces, and from one little patch I shook 


- out scores of them, mixed with D. Cucubali, D. capsincola and Eupi- 


thecia venosata. 

Dianthecia Cucubali. Must be partially double-brooded ; I bred 
the perfect insect in June, 1859, from lary taken in September, 1858, 
and again on the 24th of July, from larvie taken on the 6th of the same 


7000 Insects. 


month. The larva certainly does not from choice eat the seeds of the 
Silene when ripe and hard, but descends to feed on the leaves, and 
may be found hidden under the plant, and not, like its allies, in the 
capsules. 

Angerona prunaria. Three or four larve, beaten from hazel and 
mountain-ash, were for a time a great puzzle: their colour agreed 
pretty well with the descriptions of this species, but the dorsal humps 
did not ; especially that on the ninth segment, instead of being merely 
bifid, was adorned with two long slender horns—curved backwards, 
and this made me fancy they might belong to the next species. 

O. Pericallia syringaria. ‘These larve, which I have now hyber- 
nating small, on privet, are most wonderful creatures; afflicted from 
their birth with a most dreadful rheumatism or curvature of the spine, 
whether eating, resting or moving, they preserve (as far as my obser- 
vation goes) pretty much the position represented by Hiibner’s figure, 
copied in Plate 60 of Humphrey and Westwood. Other tree-feeding 
loopers amuse themselves during their younger days by swinging at 
the end of silken cords, stiff and straight as pokers; P. syringaria 
swings ; but still keeps its nose and heels in close contact, thus com- 
bining something of the amusement of the low-feeders, who love to twist 
themselves into notes of interrogation, figures of 2 and capital Qs. 

Amphydasis betularia. I have seen three or four specimens of the 
green variety of this larva, all of which had a pink dorsal line, and the 
humps and spiracles of an orange colour. 

O. Hemerophila abruptaria. Undoubtedly double-brooded! From 
eggs laid in May I bred the perfect insect in August! Perhaps it 
would be as well to mention that at the time these later moths 
appeared some of the produce of the very same batch of eggs were 
still feeding as larve, though hatched at the same time and treated in 
exactly the same way as their precocious brethren, one of whom awaits 
with them the coming of next spring in the pupa state: I noticed that 
the slow feeders attained a much greater size than the fast ones, and 
expect to breed larger moths from them. When first hatched these 
larve have a beautiful purple stripe on the back, but they soon 
lose it. 

O. Acidalia imitaria. Two or three loopers hatched from I know 
not what eggs in August, 1858, produced A. imitaria on the 1st of July, 
1859. They fed on groundsel, and though at last they grew to a great 
length they were more than ten months about it. Having kept them 
out-doors, and so out of sight, I forgot to make a description till they: 
had begun to spin, so I cannot speak as precisely as I could wish ; 


Insects. 7001 


however, I know they were exceedingly long and thin, of an ochreous- 
gray ground-colour, and streaked and clouded with a little dusky black 
at the segmental divisions and along the sides. 

O. Bradyepetes amataria. A brood, hatched on the 7th of July, 
fed away so rapidly for about a fortnight on dock, that I hoped to see 
the moths appear in August; however, upon attaining about two-fifths 
of their full-size they suddenly ceased eating, and are now hybernating 
in most obstinate abstinence. I took the perfect insect again out- 
doors on the 11th of August. 

O. Corycia temerata. I mention this species only to notice the 
neat way in which the female laid her eggs along the ribs on the 
under side of the sloe-leaf, which I gave her, instead of scattering them 
all over it, as many moths would do. 

O. Larentia olivata. As some of the summer species indulge some- 
times in an autumn brood, so I am half-inclined to suspect does L. 
olivata appear before its usual time in August; at all events I took it 
in good condition this summer at the end of May or beginning of June ; 
but perhaps this has been, on account of the great heat, an exceptional 
season. Larve, hatched on the 30th of August, are now hybernating 
small on Galium Mollugo. As far as I can see at present they much 
resemble the next species, both in habits and appearance, having been 
red when first hatched, and since become very much wrinkled and 
dingy-coloured. 

O. L. pectinitaria. That this larva is not so well known as the 
abundance of the perfect insect would lead one to expect need not 
be wondered at: it is such a sluggish creature, and so fond of hiding 
at the roots of its food, that I should think scarcely any one who has 
not taken the trouble to breed it can have seen it: some I had given 
me by a friend, who has helped me in the following description, would 
remain motionless, as if dead, for hours; in fact, ] never once saw 
them move, though | watched them often. When first hatched they 
are bright red, but soon become dingy; when full-grown they are 
short, stout and wrinkled, with small black tubercles emitting bristles ; 
ground-colour a dingy olive-brown, with a dark interrupted dorsal line, 
from the fifth to the tenth segment a row of reddish V-like marks, 
having the angle towards the head, and the side lines reaching almost 
to the spiracles; from the tenth segment to the tail is a broad stone- 
coloured stripe; subdorsal line light and wavy; belly fawn-colour, 
with dark patches above the feet. Will eat Galium mollugo, and has 
also been reared on G. saxatile. 

XVIII. 25 


7002 Insects. 


O, Eupithecia pumilata. After two or three unsuccessful attempts 
to rear this species on Convolvulus Sepium and C. arvensis, I luckily 
tried a brood with Clematis flowers, on which they throve wonderfully ; 
they must, however, eat other things, as the moth appears throughout 
nearly half the year; one was brought me from the lamps on the 22nd 
of November, evidently just fresh from the pupa. The larva when 
first hatched is bright orange, with a dark head, and the very smallest 
creature in the shape of a Maskel—not belonging to a Micro—that I 
am acquainted with. 

O. Melanthia oceliata. This larva is remarkable for having the 
dorsal markings repeated on the belly, though with this difference — 
that the six Vs on the back are formed with whitish lines, and have 
the angle pointing towards the tail, while the ventral Vs are red and 
point towards the head. 

O. Melanippe procellata. ‘This larva is the largest of the genus, 
and very difficult indeed to describe. In figure it is long, and tapers 
towards the head; ground-colour pale yellowish brown, paler in the 
last four segments; dorsal line black, interrupted at the segmental 
divisions from the fourth to the tenth with a reddish dash followed by 
a black dot, and terminating at the tail in a dark spot; subdorsal lines 
dingy brown and rather diffuse, almost touching the dorsal line on the 
middle segments, but receding again at the segmental divisions, and 
thus leaving a pale space around the black dots they become lighter 
on the posterior segments; there are two or three brownish wavy 
lateral lines, becoming more clouded from the sixth to the ninth seg- 
ment, where they quite run into one another, but after that become at 
once paler and thinner; spiracles black in a white ring; there is a 
dark dash above each leg. Some larve are much darker than others, 
and have all the lines quite black and much clouded, so as to allow 
very little of the ground-colour to appear. The brood I had were 
hatched on the 22nd of August, full grown in a month, and fed on 
young shoots of the garden Clematis. 

O. M. unangulata. Of this species I have seen five or six broods, 
and have so far found the larva not to vary very much. In shape it 
tapers slightly towards the head: the ground is of a pale stone-colour ; 
there is no regular dorsal line, but a series of dusky dashes and dots, 
and at the five middle segmental divions these dots become enlarged 
and quite black in colour, and are preceded by an oblong transverse 
reddish mark, and that again by a square white spot; there are two 
very wavy and diffused subdorsal lines of a very faint dusky black, but 
just above the spiracles is a pretty clear thin line of the ground-colour, 


Insects. 7003 


followed by another of the darker tint; the spiracles are black ; the 
belly of the ground-colour, only more yellowish, and marked on each 
side at the five middle segmental divisions with little groups of fine 
black dashes and dots. It thrives well on chickweed (Alsine media), 
being full fed in somewhat less than a month. Whether the moth 
appears again out-of-doors in the autumn I cannot say, but I bred 
two or three in my flower-pot about the 20th of August, in the same 
way autumnal specimens of M. rivata and Anticlea rubidata have been 
bred in-doors, though I have never seen them on the wing out-of- 
doors at that time. 

-O. M. fluctuata. One day in July I found, together with six or 
seven of the (to me common) brown and gray variety of this larva, one 
that was quite green all over, but with sufficient indications of the 
dorsal pattern to make me think it was of the same species, as in time 
it proved to be; I mentioned the circumstance to one of our great 
men, and was informed that he had never seen any but green larve of 
M. fluctuata ; this set me breeding all I could, but out of six or seven 
broods — certainly not large ones—I succeeded in obtaining but one 
green larva, which on passing its last moult appeared with a dorsal 
line of two tints of red, but grew gradually less brilliant, until just 
before spinning it showed no red at all. 

O. Camptogramma fluviata. The following dates may prove of 
interest: a female laid me a batch of eggs on the 27th of July, from 
which I bred the moths from the Ist to the 10th of September ; all 
their transformations having been passed in an average time of forty 
days. On the 22nd of August I procured eggs from another female, 
the moths from which appeared from the 8th to the 11th of October, 
having thus taken on an average seven or eight days more than the 
former brood to go through their changes. Since then I have been 
told of a brood hatched in October, which passed six weeks in the 
larva state alone, and from which at the time I am writing (December 
9th) no perfect insects have yet appeared ; also of another brood of 
larve, hatched in November, which are still very small, and feeding 
but slowly. Most of the captured specimens of the moth itself that 
have come under my notice have occurred near low ground, but I 
cannot think it an exclusively marsh insect, for both the egg-laying 
females and the larve (next season I hope to be able to give the 
proper name of the food-plant) have been found on the sides of hills, 
at a considerable elevation above ‘any water. Some of the females 
have on the fore-wings a dash along the costa, three or four waved 
strige, and the ring round the dark spot — all of the ground-colour of 


7004 Insects. 


the male’s wings and some of the latter have a grayish ring round the 
central spot; the dark central band in both sexes is liable to be inter- 
rupted, and indeed to be much diminished in extent every way, some- 
times appearing as two thin irregular dashes or streaks. 

O. Cidaria picata. I have found this larva almost a tougher subject 
_ for description than Melanippe procellata, but must try my best: the 
ground is of a pale stone-colour, segmental divisions reddish ; no dor- 
sal line, but a dark blackish patch on each segment, increasing in size 
and depth of tint up to the ninth, where it attains its maximum, none 
on the last four segments ; subdorsal stripes dusky, very much freckled 
and diffused, and forming four small dark dots at the corners of the 
dorsal patches ; just above the spiracles is an irregular dusky stripe 
enclosing a thin wavy line of the ground-colour, bordered with black ; 
spiracles black ; belly marked on each side at the segmental divisions 
with groups of small black spots. Thrives fast on chickweed, though 
I must confess I half expected to find it attack the leaves of some tree 
or shrub. 

O. C. corylata. Two or three larve, hatched on the 22nd of June, 
fed up on the small-leafed sloe, and went to earth on the 2nd of Octo- 
ber, having grown so very slowly that for a long time I fancied—espe- 
cially as they did not appear at all unhealthy—that they would hyber- 
nate. They did not quite agree with the descriptions I have read, 
but had the ground-colour of a yellowish green ; subdorsal stripe 
greenish yellow ; on the third to the fifth segment, and again on the 
eleventh to the tail a dark reddish brown dorsal stripe ; on each of 
the intermediate segments four very fine brown dots arranged in pairs, 
with a fine dash on each segment and at each segmental division ; spi- 
racles white, the middle ones having between them a row of four brown 
spots; belly sprinkled with very fine brown dots arranged in lines. 

C. pyraliata. <A rather slender pale green looper, with yellowish 
segmental divisions, and a broad dark green dorsal line, bordered .on 
each side with yellow, which I found in spring feeding on cleavers 
(Galium Aparine) produced this species, and I know it has also been 
both reared and taken on Galium mollugo. Query, Is Albin, as quoted 
by the ‘Manual, right in giving whitethorn as the food? though I 
suppose it is certain that Eupithecia vulgata feeds on flowers of rag- 
wort, &c., as well as on hawthorn. 

O. HKubolia cervinata. A small batch of eggs, laid October 14, 
1858, and kept together through the winter, were hatched at various 
intervals between April 10th and May 30th, 1859, some of the larvee 
having been six months and others seven months and a half in the — 


Insects. 7005 


egg; however, the perfect insect did not show so much variation in 
the time of their appearing. 


Eupithecia expallidata bred from the Golden-rod, §c.— It may interest Mr. 
M‘Lachlan to know that three years since I bred seven specimens of Eupithecia 
expallidata from mixed larve beaten from Solidago virgaurea, Senecio Jacobea and 
Achillza millefolium. I have little doubt that the first-named flower is the ordinary 
food-plant. Last autumn I again met with what I believe to be the larva, and took 
accurate descriptions, which, should my suspicion prove correct, I hope, ere long, to 
give the readers of the ‘ Zoologist.— H. Harpur Crewe ; Wickham Market, Suffolk, 
March 31, 1860. 

Description of the Larva and Pupa of Sarrothripa Revayana.—I have bred this 
from a dark green larva, with long very fine white hairs. It has but little 
or no resemblance to any Tortrix larva with which I am acquainted. The pupa is 
bright green, with a broad black line down the centre of the back; it spun a white 
silken cocoon between two leaves of oak upon which the larva fed.— William Machin ; 
35, William Street, Globe Fields, Mile End, March 26, 1860. 


A List of Micro-Lepidoptera, of which the Transformations are 
unknown. By Cuaries MItier, Esq. 


Tue following list I had prepared for my own use, but it having 
occurred to me that it might prove useful to my fellow entomologists 
in the coming campaign I am induced to publish it for their benefit, 
through the medium of the ‘ Zoologist.’ 

It will be observed that beside those species of which the transfor- 
mations are entirely unknown I have included those of which the habits 
are as yet imperfectly worked out, and also those which have been 
discovered in the larva state on the Continent, but not yet noticed in 
the same stage here. With regard to these latter species, I have intro- 
duced them because it may possibly happen that their food in this 
country is not the same as that which they affect abroad. 

I have also accompanied most of the species with a few remarks, 
the result of my own experience with them. Meagre though such 
scraps of information be, they may nevertheless prove useful in con- 
firmation, and taken in conjunction with the observation of others. 

A slight glance at the list will immediately suggest that much 
remains to be done before the veil of obscurity which hangs over the 
habits of these species can be removed. 


7006 Insects. 


It is very evident that we have got through the easiest part of our 
task in investigating the habits of the Micro-Lepidoptera, and that the 
elucidation of the remainder will be proportionably difficult. As an 
example of what has been accomplished we may refer to the four very 
natural genera — Coleophora, Elachista, Lithocolletis and Nepticula. 
In investigating the transformations of these we have positive infor- 
mation respecting part of the species which we can safely apply in 
our researches into the economy of the rest, and our labours are 
rendered comparatively light. Thus we know that a Coleophora larva 
is a case-bearer, and feeds on the seeds and leaves of plants, making 
conspicuous blotches on the latter; that an Elachista mines long white 
galleries in the leaves of grasses; that a Lithocolletis feeds on the 
parenchyma of the leaves of trees and shrubs, contracting the cuticle 
in a manner peculiar to itself; and that a Nepticula makes a long 
narrow contorted mine; and accordingly we are guided by such infor- 
mation in our search. But there are many genera of which we know 
little or nothing concerning their habits, and that little is calculated 
to lead us astray rather than aid us, and many again are so rare that 
we can make only the most remote guesses at their economy. Others 
there are which feed in decayed wood, and present us with no sign by 
which we may recognise their presence, and some, as with the genus 
Gelechia, feed in every conceivable manner, and make a similarity of 
habit the exception instead of the rule. 

These are some of the difficulties which we must be prepared to 
encounter at every step, and therefore I think that all information, 
however slight it may appear, is worthy of being recorded, as it may 
at some time or other serve to form a connecting link in our chain of 
knowledge. 

Taleporia pubicornis. 

Diplodoma marginepunctella. The larvz of this species are occa- 
sionally met with on old palings, and have been found to have a car- 
nivorous propensity. Whether this is their usual mode of feeding or 
whether they are in reality lichen-feeders is not thoroughly decided. 
Perhaps they like a change of diet. 

Ochsenheimeria bisontella. Judging from analogy one would sup- 
pose this species, like O. Birdella, would feed in the stems of grass, 
but in the spot where I am accustomed to take it commonly the only 
grass to be found is the mat grass (Nardus stricta). It may feed in 
this, but the hard roots seem scarcely suitable for a tender Micro-Lepi- 
dopterous larva. I recently examined a large quantity of this plant 
but found no trace of larve. | 


: 
| 


Insects. 7007 


Tinea imella. 

T. ferruginella. I have beaten the perfect insect out of hedges, and 
Mr. Scott found it plentifully in a coal mine: the larvz probably feed 
both in rotten wood and Fungi. 

T. Monachella, T. picarella, T. ruricolella, T. cochylidella, T. 
albipunctella, T. merdella, T. flavescentella, T. simplicella, T. sub- 
ammanella. 

Lampronia Luzella. Can this feed in the shoots of bramble ? 

Incurvaria tenuicornis. 

Nemophora Schwarziella. Now that we know the habits of one of 
the species (Swammerdamella) we should not have much difficulty in 
working out the history of the remainder. No doubt they feed in 
cases on low-growing plants, and should be searched for in open 
places in woods where the imago occurs. I once found N. Metaxella 
plentiful ina clearing, flying at dusk a short distance from the ground; 
the prevailing herbage was primroses and wild strawberries. They 
should be feeding at the present time. 

Adela rufimitrella. It is evidently the habit of the larva of this 
and the preceding genus to winter in the larva state in cases, and 
complete their feeding in the early spring. Both in this and the 
following genus the female has a very elongated abdomen, well suited 
for penetrating the corolla of a flower, and it will no doubt be found 
that they lay their eggs at the bottom, that the young larva when 
hatched makes its way into the seeds, and feeding there until it has 
attained a certain growth quits its temporary abode, and constructing 
a case feeds upon low growing plants through the summer and autumn, 
winters and completes its feeding in the spring. On the Continent 
the larva of this species has been found in cases under fallen leaves. 
I have taken all my specimens im the perfect state on the flowers of 
the Erysimum alliaria. It is generally suppesca to be attached to the 
Cardamine pratensis. 

A. Sulzella. This I have also taken from the blossoms of the Ery- 
simum. Can it have a similar habit to the preceding species? 

A. viridella. This is one of our “ difficulties.” The insect is gene- 
rally common, but yet eludes all our endeavours to discover its 
economy ; its habit of flying round the branches of oaks may possibly 
have nothing to do with its mode of feeding, yet Mr. Stainton has 
observed the females apparently in the act of laying their eggs on the 
midribs of oak leaves. 

A. cuprella. Our knowledge of the habits of this species is very 
scanty: we know that it frequents the catkins of blooming sallows, 


7008 Insects. 


but these are most attractive to insects generally, and whether the 
young larve feed therein is a point which time will decide. 

Nemotois scabiosella. With so close a natural connection between 
this and the preceding genus we may reasonably suppose a similarity 
of habit in the preparatory stages. N. scabiosella has been observed 
lying with expanded wings on the blossoms of the Scabiosa colum- 
baria, her abdomen thrust among the. florets as if performing the 
operation of laying her eggs. 

N. cupriacellus. I have found on the same plant, and also obtained 
by sweeping amongst papilionaceous flowers. 

N. fasciellus. Though exceedingly partial to the blossoms of the 
elder, I have taken them from the flowers of the thistle. I have also 
taken them apparently at rest on the leaves of elder and nettles. 

N. minimellus. I have also obtained by sweeping amongst papilio- 
naceous flowers. 

Micropteryx calthella, M. aruncella, M. Seppella, M. mansuetella, 
M. allionella, M. Thunbergella, M. purpurella, M. salopiella, M. semi- 
purpurella, M. unimaculella, M. Sparmannella and M. subpurpurella. 
We are still quite in the dark as to the mode of feeding of the species 
composing this genus. True M. unimaculella has been bred from 
pupe found in small mines in the lichen and bark of birches, but more 
than this nothing is known. Some of the smaller species frequent 
flowers; thus, M. calthella is common on the blossoms of the Ranun- 
culaceze, M. Seppella as abundant on the Veronica Chamedrys. All 
are early in their appearance, and as the eggs must be deposited in 
the spring, and they are but single brooded, it would appear that these 


little creatures take a year to perfect their transformations. Can they | 


be larvz for so long a period, and where do they exist; in the stems 
and leaves of the plants they affect ? 

Swammerdamia lutarea. 

Chalybe pyrausta. 

Eidophasia Messingiella. 

Plutella annulatella. Probably feeds on one of the Cruciferz, like 
the other species of the genus. 

Cerostoma sequella. Reputed to feed on lime and sallow, in May 
and June. 

C. alpella. Occurs in the perfect state amongst oaks and horn- 
beams. 

Exeretia Allisella. Supposed to frequent the Artemisia vulgaris 
in the perfect state. The larve should be looked for in May and 
June. 


Insects. 7009 


Depressaria bipunctosa. 

D. ciniflonella. Can this feed in the shoots of fir trees ? 

D. Yeatiana. 

D. granulosella. I once bred a specimen of this from larve col- 
lected in July, at Deal, from a dwarf umbelliferous flower. 

D. Douglasella. Has been bred from one of the Umbellifere, but 
wants further investigation. 

D. badiella. 

D. pastinacella. Whence the name of this species? One would 
suppose it to feed on the Pastinaca sativa. 

Gelechia cinerella, G. inornatella. , 

G. gerronella. This has a singular partiality for the common fern. 
The larvz should be looked for in May and June. 

G. vilella. 

G. nigra. This should feed on the white poplar in May. 

G. fumatella. 

G. ericetella. A common species amongst heather. 

G. divisella, G. palustrella. 

G. peliella. Feeds on the Continent on Rumex acetosella. 

G. longicornis. 

G. terrella. Another of our difficulties. The insect swarms on 
every common and in every piece of waste ground, and yet the larva 
remains unknown. Mr. Douglas found several Gelechia-like larve in 
March, amongst moss, whilst searching for beetles ; these were sup- 
posed to be the long sought for G. terrella, but none were reared, and 
Mr. Scott found it in a breeding-cage which contained a bunch of 
rushes. 

G. desertella, G. politella. 

G. senectella. This is another common species amongst fern. 
The larva should feed in May and June. 

G. mundella. Has been bred from moss, but the larva not proved 
to have fed thereon. 

G. boreella, G. galbanella, G. basaltinella, G. humeralis, G. 4thiops, 
G. distinctella, G. solutella, G. celerella, G. maculiferella, G. junc- 
tella, G. vicinella, G. Hiibneri, G. littorella, G. aleella, G. albiceps. 

G. tenebrella. Bred from moss, but the larva not observed. 

G. tenebrosella, G. Sircomella, G. immaculatella, G. nigritella, 
G. atrella, G. suffusella, G. lucidella, G. bathlontella, G. gemmella, 
G. subdecurtella. 

Parasia neuropterella. Most likely feeds in the seeds of one of 

XVIII. 2.F 


7010 Insects. 


the Composite, in conformity with the habit of the other species of 
the genus. 

Cleodora cytisella. The perfect insect always occurs amongst 
fern. It has been suggested that as C. striatella feeds in the stems of 
the tansy, this may also affect the Pteris aquilina in a like manner. 

Chelaria Hubnerella. Said to frequent poplars in the perfect state. 
I have never noticed this habit, but have met with it commonly amongst 
birch and hornbeam. 

Aplota palpella. A continental species has been bred from rotten 
wood ; this may have a similar habit. 

Sophronia parenthesella. Occurs amongst broom. Can it be an 
internal feeder ? 

Pleurota bicostella. A common species on heaths. The food- 
plant of the larva is a mystery. 

Harpella Geoffrella. From the habits of the other species of the 
genus we may safely conjecture that this feeds in decayed wood. 

Hypercallia Christiernana. Feeds on the Continent on Polygala 
Chamebuxus: this is not a British plant, but it has its representative 
in another species, P. vulgaris. The insect is so rare here that it 
would well repay us to find the larva. It should be searched for in 
May. 

Dasycera Oliviella. The larva no doubt feeds in decayed oaks, 
which trees the perfect insects frequent. 

Cicophora tripuncta. Supposed to frequent brambles. 

Ci. Woodiella. Very scarce, and nothing as to its habits known. 

CE. grandis. Has been taken in hedges “ composed of living and 
dead hazel and birch,” in which most probably the larvee feed. 

Ci. formosella. Auother rarity, and we may have to wait long 
before its transformations are discovered. 

Ci. lunaris, CH. lambdella, CE. subaquilea, Os. Panzerella, CH. tinc- 
tella, Gi. fuscescens. Like most of the genus these are no doubt 
decayed wood feeders. 

Cicogenia quadripuncta. 

Butalis fusco-cuprea, B. cicadella, B. variella, B. incongruella. All 
the larve have probably the same habit, namely, that of living in webs 
upon their food-plant. 

Atemelia torquatella. 

Pancalia Leuwenhoekella, P. Latreillella. As a rule those species 
of the Tineina which feed internally are more or less brightly coloured. 
Wood feeders are brilliant in their markings, but destitute of the spots 
and bands of gold that distinguish the miners in leaves. Now as the 


Insects. 7011 


latter characteristic is abundantly presented by the two species of this 
genus, we may reasonably conjecture that they inhabit the interior of 
leaves in the larva state. P. Leuwenhoekella is a very early insect ; I 
have taken it on the 22nd of April. I have fancied it attached to the 
rock rose. Singular it is that wherever I take the species there is 
the Helianthemum. Most probably it feeds up in the autumn, but as 
the above plant is almost an evergreen it might be worth while searching 
for the larve now. 

Acrolepia perlepidella, A. betulella. 

Réslerstammia Erxlebella. Frequents heather and lime trees in 
the perfect state, and reported to feed on the same, but the point wants 
further elucidation. 

R. pronubella. 

Glyphipteryx fuscoviridella, G. Thrasonella, G. cladiella, G. ocula- 
tella, G. Fischeriella. The first of these is a common insect in damp 
places on heaths, flying amongst the short grass. G. Thrasonella 
partial to rushes, perhaps feeds in the stems. G. Fischeriella frequents 
blossoms indiscriminately, and affords us no clew to its habits. 

fichmnia dentella. 

Tinagma sericiellum, T. stanneellum. Both species seem attached 
to the oak, and the larve no doubt have a similar habit to T. resplend- 
ellum. 

Argyresthia semitestacella, A. spiniella, A. semifusca. 

A. retinella. In the shoots of birches in May and June? 

A. abdominalis. In the shoots of juniper in May and June? 

A. Andereggielia. In the shoots of wild apple in May and June? 

A. precocella. In the shoots of Juniper? 

_ Zelleria hepariella. Bred by Mr. Stainton, but the larva not ob- 
served, 

Z. insignipennella, Z. fasciapennella. 

Gracilaria stramineella, G. hemidactylella, G. falconipennella, G. 
imperialella. 

Coriscium sulphurellum. 

Ornix devoniella. 

Coleophora olivaceella. 

C. orbitella. Has been bred from a case found on the stem ofa 
: birch tree, but whether the larve fed onjthe leaves of the same remains 
to be proved 

Coleophora deauratella, C. Fabriciella, C. vulnerariz, C. niveicostella, 
C. apicella, C. squamosella. 

Stathmopoda pedella. 


7012 Insects. 


Cosmopteryx Lienigiella. 

Batrachedra pinicolella. 

Chauliodus insecurellus. Probably feeds on one of the Umbelli- 
ferze. 

Laverna Stephensi, L. decorella, L. subbistrigella, L. rhamniella. 

Chrysoclista bimaculella. 

C. flavicaput. I have an idea that this feeds in decayed hawthorn 
stumps. 

Asychna modestella. Another difficulty. A very abundant insect 
where it occurs, on the flowers of the stitchwort, but like some other 
species this habit may have nothing to do with the food of the larva. 
It is difficult, however, to disconnect the plant and insect one from 
another. It is also supposed to frequent oaks. 

Elachista apicipunctella, E. flavicomella, E. Holdenella, EK. stabi- 
lella, E. humilis, E. consortella, E. obliquella, E. cingillella, E. serri- 
cornis, E. collitella, E. dispunctella, E. ochreella. These are all most 
probably grass feeders, and a few seasons will no doubt put us in pos- 
session of their complete history. 

Lithocolletis nigrescentella, L. triguttella, L. scopariella, L. ulici- 
colella. Four species of which very little is known ; the two first are 
unique. LL. scopariella is supposed to feed on the broom, and Mr. 
Stainton suggests April and May as the feeding-time of the larve. 

Opostega salaciella, O. auritella, O. crepusculella, O. spatulella. All 
the species frequent damp places amongst grass. O. salaciella I have 
found repeatedly after the usual time of flight sitting on broom 
twigs. 

Nepticula intimella, N. headleyella, N. apicella, N. sericopeza, N. 
quinquella. Time and perseverance will work out the history of these 
entomological atoms. 

Trifurcula atrifrontella, T. squamosella, T. immundella. I have an 
indistinct remembrance of noticing a mine similar to that of T. pulve- 
rosella in the leaves of broom. This may be T. immundella. 


Bohemannia quadrimaculella. 
CHARLES MILLER. 
March 14, 1860. 


Insects. 7013 


Notes on the more common Species of the Genus Bombus. 
By Col. H. W. Newman. 


Bombus subterraneus. The. female is nearly ten lines in length ; 
the male between six and seven lines ; and the worker nearly six lines, 
but varies very much in size. This bee is very numerous throughout 
England and Scotland: it builds its nest deeper than any other of the 
genus, generally a foot to eighteen inches under ground, and, on this 
account, is difficult to get at. I mistook this bee for the Bombus 
Hortorum for some years, until 1 became better acquainted with. 
it. It is to be found in meadows, especially among drains and in 
banks. The number of individuals in one nest varies from ten to fifty, 
but is generally between ten and thirty only. The male is very like 
the worker, except in being more uniform in size, in having longer 
antennz, and in being more hairy towards the anus, and the abdomen 
not so sharp pointed. ‘This was the first bee of the genus in which I 
discovered the freaks of the drones. The males of this species fly very 
near the ground, and with a short dodging flight. On fine days, after 
leaving the nest, they amuse themselves in flying from place to place 
at short distances, paying visits to tufts of grass, to holes in the ground, 
to banks, ditches, walls, &c., and these rounds of visits are continued 
to the same spots on warm days for several hours, that is, between 9 
A.M.and 2p.m. I mentioned these movements to my friend Mr. 
W. H. L. Wallcott, of Clifton, who imagines these males have never 
been mated with the young queens. Males, females and workers fly 
near the ground, and the males have a more unsteady flight than the 
workers. I have both watched and taken many nests of this bee, and 
have never seen a male return to the nest, nor do the males make any 
observations when leaving the nest, as is the case with the worker. 
This species is not pugnacious or irritable ; I have never been attacked 
by them when taking their combs ; indeed, bees of this genus only 
become irascible in proportion to their numbers. Bombus subter- 
raneus prefers the larger flowers, such as the foxglove, dead nettle, 
snapdragon, and other similar sized flowers. It is very late before the 
queens make their appearance in the spring. The males may be seen 
in great numbers, in September in a dormant state, on the common 
thistle blossoms in coo] showery weather. 

I have never found the black cuckoo bee (Apathus rupestris) ;I have 
taken the nests of this bee, but the queens of this species are generally 
infested with Acari, which attach themselves to the body of the bee, 


7014 Insects. 


about the junction of the thorax and abdomen. This bee shows great 
instinct in its search after honey: in those blossoms which it cannot 
reach inside it goes to the bottom of the flower outside and penetrates the 
part where the nectary lies. 

Bombus lapidarius (redtailed bee). This is not only a large and 
very handsome species, but is one of the most interesting of the genus. 
It makes its nest in old walls, heaps of stones, and dry stony banks. 
At Aberystwith I found a nest on the top of the hill to the Ieft as you 
face the sea; it was nearly two feet from the surface of the ground to 
the combs, and contained about two hundred and eighty workers, and 
the combs contained about fifty males and twenty females unhatched. 
I have never seen any of the males of this species re-enter the nests ; 
they make their appearance much later than many of their congeners, 
but are easily distinguished from the workers by their beautiful gay 
liveries of buff and red—a little in the parroquet style of ornament. 
Generally speaking they seldom give much trouble in digging out 
when in the ground, being near the surface; the nest at Aberystwith 
was therefore unlike any other of this species I ever saw. The workers 
are not very pugnacious so far as 1 have found them, but are extremely 
active in gathering honey. The flight of these bees is very steady, 
and ata moderate distance from the ground. The males go their 
rounds in fine weather, and are to be found frequenting the smaller 
thistles, Veronica, &c. 

B. Derhamellus. This bee is so like B. lapidarius that it is mis- 
taken by many for that species, but the discerning eye of the illustrious 
Ray pointed out the difference many years ago. It builds its nest in 
meadows and pastures, the grassy parts of lawns of gentlemen’s houses, 
and is in this respect like the moss carder (B. Muscorum). The flight 
is much higher in this species than in the moss carder. I have taken 
many of their nests. In August, 1857, I captured a whole nest on one 
of the little knolls near the sea at Llandudno, N. Wales. The workers 
were very pugnacions, more so than ever I saw them; the heat at the 
time was 82° Fahr. in the shade. The male of the B. Derhamellus 
is quite different in appearance from that of the B. lapidarius, 
being quite black, except the tail, and like the worker, but males 
and workers are at once to be distinguished by the difference of 
the antenne. Although I have observed the Bombi in Scotland a good 
deal, when visiting that country, yet I never saw either the B. Derham 
ellus or B. lapidarius in any part of that country. I have taken 
several nests in that country of bees which inhabit walls, generally old 
ones, but, although they have a red tail, the yellow band on the collar 


Insects. 7015 


and black body evidently mark them as a different species from either 
of those I have been describing. 

B. Hortorum. This species is very common, but generally in small 
communities, numbering from ten to fifty. It is very similar to B. 
subterraneus, especially the females. Their flight is of the same 
dodging jerking order as the latter bee, but their nests are generally 
near the bottoms and lower parts of old garden walls: the great 
Linneus has given them the right name; indeed all the Bombi have 
been admirably named by that great naturalist, in allusion to their 
habits. The nests of B. Hortorum are seldom far under ground ; the 
few that I have met in the open garden walks are not more than six 
inches, and they are very apt to be destroyed by the field mice. I 
have had two nests in different gardens, but never noticed any males 
issue from them. They fly near the ground like B. subterraneus, but 
on the whole are not so interesting as several of the others. They 
abound all over the kingdom. I have had less experience in handling 
these than any of the others enumerated by me; if the males even 
return once to the nest a desertion by these soon takes place: I have 
never watched this species so intently as I have the others, and cannot 
say positively as to the exact habits of the males, but presume they 
seldom or never return to the nest after leaving it. 

B. Muscorum (moss carder, moss builder, and in Scotland, foggy). 
This is a most common species, building in the moss generally at a short 
distance from the tread of cattle, in hedge banks, &c.; the colour is 
a dark tawny yellow. The female is one of the latest in making her 
appearance in the spring, and as she prefers the larger blossoms of 

dead nettle, snapdragon, foxglove, and all the later wood flowers, it 
seems wisely ordered that her appearance should be late. I have had 
a great many nests of this species, and can testify that their sting is 
about the sharpest of any of the whole genus; this species flies near 
the ground ; the males are a slight degree lighter in their colour. They 
fly low, and may be seen going their rounds in July and August, 
| stopping at various places in the embankments, and proceeding 
onwards in fine weather. The individuals of this species are subject to be 
easily destroyed by vermin, hedgehogs, foxes, and last, though not least, 
by idle boys, as the nests are easily got at. My mode of capture is 
as follows: I remove the whole nest, bees and all, with the help of a 
knife or small spade, and then return it to its place ; I revisit the spot 
after sunset and remove the nest to a box, and so capture them all. I 
had many nests at various times in my gardens ; they work very actively 
for some time ; I have known them do so vigorously until the middle 


7016 Insects. 


or end of October under straw hives. The bees and combs should 
have some moss placed round them. Each of the nests contains from 
ten to one hundred bees. I have seen them in the moors in Scotland, 
about the middle of August, with one old queen and only four or five 
workers. The moss carders are the most hardy of all the English 
wild bees; they will brave the wind and rain in very tempestuous 
weather without being benumbed as most of the other species are. 

B. terrestris. The workers of this species vary exceedingly in size ; 
some of them are very small. The males generally appear about the 
third week in July ; the females make their appearance very early in 
March. This bee is extremely like its congener, B. Lucorum, in colour 
and appearance, and has nearly the same flight; but the males of B. 
terrestris are very like the workers, with a slight, difference in the 
antenne and the lower part of the abdomen. I dug out a nest of these 
insects on the tram-road on the Gloucester Road, near Cheltenham, 
the middle of July, 1859, containing about three hundred workers, and 
the combs contained about fifty males and a few queens unhatched. 
They worked from a box in my garden for about six weeks; a good 
many young queens were hatched and worked well, but the males 
that hatched were extremely weak, most of them unable to fly, and the 
few which did fly never returned to the box. The passage to the 
combs from the entrance of the original nest was about three feet, and 
the combs were about eight inches or a foot from the surface of the 
ground. ‘The workers were extremely irascible and acted offensively 
when near the combs, fastening occasionally on my clothes, in my 
hair, &c. This is the only species of Bombus, the nest of which I 
have ever found inhabited by the great black cuckoo bee, Apathus 
rupestris. This species is extremely fond of the lime blossom ; in a 
showery summer, when these blossoms are out, I have seen these 
bees remain on them till long after sunset, and many of them, about 
the end of June or beginning of July, lying dormant under these trees 
on the ground, as if mebriated. I have taken hundreds of their nests 
containing a good deal of wild honey, in different parts of England 
and in Scotland. The males have the same habits as those of B. 
Lucorum, but I never found any bee, either male or female, of the latter 
species, in the nest of B. terrestris. These bees are also very fond of 
the Dutch clover (Zrifolium repens), and Mr. Huish denounces_them 
as great enemies of the hive bees in consequence, but he was not 
aware how few of the genus interfered in their pasture with the hive 
bee. The difference I have always found between the flight of the 
males and workers when removed to a new place is this, that on letting 


Insects. 7017 


the captives ont in the morning the males never make any observation 
on the new locality, but fly straight away instantly, whereas the workers 
come out with great caution, taking great notice of the entrance to the 
nest, and going farther and farther gradually from the place ; this is 
done until they become quite acquainted with the locality. 

B. Lucorum. The males of this species appear about the second 
week in July; the females make their appearance early in March. 
These bees build their nest about six inches to a foot under ground. 
This species is very numerous all over Great Britain ; their nests are 
found in dry places, small woods and hedge banks ; the flight of the 
queens is very steady, and the workers on issuing out of their nests 
generally ascend from thirty to forty feet in the air. This species is 
very numerous in July and August, often amounting to three hundred 
workmen and from fifty to sixty males besides the queens. They are 
not nearly so irascible as B. terrestris ; I have taken nests of B. Lucorum 
very often without receiving more than one or two stings on my hand. 
The males are different in appearance from the workers, being nearly 
all over a deep buff colour, and the antennz are a little longer as usual, 
but not so straight as those of the worker. I have captured hundreds 
of their nests, and watched them for many hours; I never saw one 
male return into the nests after leaving. Their flight is remarkably 
steady and high in the air. They are my greatest favourites of all the 
Bombi. There is a great similarity between these and B. terrestris 
both in the queens and workers, with a little more white at the tip of 
the abdomen, but the males are very unlike. This species is by far 
the most docile of about seven or eight which I have removed to my 
garden at various times during the last fifty years. The males amuse 
themselves on fine days for several hours in going their round of haunts, 
but different from those of B. subterraneus, as the former never fly 
very near the ground, but pass through hedges, bushes, shrubs and 
and low trees, keeping to the same places exactly in every round. 
This species is greatly infested with small Acari, which destroy the 
queens ; they seldom remain during winter in the old nest, but in this 
there may be an exception to the general rule, for in a most populous 
nest which I took in Scotland, I found, in a compartment near the new 
combs, the remains of about three hundred more cells entire, but 
covered with mould, and evidently the combs of the previous year. I 
noticed these bees one mild autumn busy as late as the 9th of Novem- 
ber on some flowers in my garden; they were small workers and not 
queens. I have also noted this bee as the earliest to commence 

XVIII. 2G 


7018 Insects. 


nidification. On the 16th of April, 1856, I observed a female issuing 
from a bank of the Basingstoke Canal, Aldershott, and the next day and. 
for several following days I saw the bee“return to the nest, and, on its 
going out, it remained generally from twenty minutes to half an hour. 
No workers made their appearance for six weeks. The males of this 
species may be found frequenting the blossoms of Salvia, Veronica, 
&c., from the middle of July until the beginning of September. 

I have heard from a friend who lives in Lower Canada that the 
Bombi in that country are numerous and much more irascible than in 
England, probably owing to the high temperature in summer, the 
thermometer in June, July and Angust, being often at 95° in the shade 
for weeks together at mid-day. 

The strong instinct in all these interesting insects in choosing a 
place for nidification is displayed in always pitching on a spot which 
has a natural drainage from the wet. Many of their nests are to be 
found on the banks of canals, rivers, dry banks in hedge rows, and 
even those in meadows or pastures lave generally a hole or drain near 
the combs which prevents their nests being inundated by any sudden 
gush of water, or they are situated in an extremely dry and elevated 
spot. : 
H. W. Newman. 


Hillside, Cheltenham. 
March 29, 1860. 


[It is greatly to be wished that our correspondent, who appears to have so much 
leisure for studying the habits of these most interesting insects, had turned his 
attention to making out the exact connexion between the Bombi and Apathi which 
reside in the same nests. In October, 1834, then a child in Entomology, I 
thus defined this connexion, hoping my observations would lead others to a more 
minute investigation; but alas! how small is the increase of our knowledge in the 
twenty-six years that have passed away. ‘‘ Larva hatched from an egg deposited by 
its parent in the vests of other bees at the time when their own eggs are laid; when 
it hatches, being larger and stronger than the rightful possessor of the cell, it con- 
sumes the focd provided for its companion, and starves it to death; and in those 
instances in which fresh supplies of food are daily provided, it continues to receive 
and appropriate them as its own. Pupa changes in the same situation, in a silken 
cocoon, spun by the larva. The imago has no apparatus, either on the body or legs, 
for collecting honey; it enters the nests of other bees with perfect familiarity, and 
seems to be quite unsuspected of intrusion; it collects no pollen or honey; never 
builds a nest of any kind, or takes any care of its young ; but spends its time among 
flowers, or hovering about sand-banks in which other bees have fixed their habita- 
tions.” Mr. Smith, in his valuable work, has objected to my assertion, that the larva 
of Apathus is larger and stronger than its victim, but looking at the relative size of 


Insects. 7019 


the perfect insects, I think probabilities are in my favour. With this single exception, 
I believe, the entive paragraph has remained for twenty-six years both uncomfirmed 
and uncontradicted.— Ldward Newman]. 


The Hybernation of Wasps.— Mr. Wailes’ statement respecting the queen Vespa 
vulgaris, found near the swnmit of Skiddaw is very interesting (Zool. 6941), aud I 
think partly explained by Mr. Westwood ; my solution of the matter is thus : in some 
seasons we often see an extraordinary number of queen wasps about the end of April, 
and yet in the after part of the summer very few nests, and a great—and I may say a 
pleasing—scarcity of workers. My opinion is that should a fortnight of wet cold 
weather arrive afler their first appearance, many of these queens that have scarcely 
begun their nests, ake refuge for a time in the places alluded to by Mr. Wailes, and 
from the continuance of rain and cold become so benumbed that they never revive, and 
these are the queens which are found in hiding-placcs. I take great notice of 
the Hymenoptera; and in 1849, the appearance of the queev-wasp (and also the 
Bombi) in March and April was that of a most plentiful brood of these insects: but 
having afterwards twenty-five days of rainy weather in May, the nests in Gluucester- 
shire have rarely been so few. I believe that two-thirds of the queen wasps which bad 
begun or intended to begin their nests that year, perished in the month of May, as 
described by Mr. Wailes. Nevertheless, it is generally in a plentiful year of wall- 
fruit, plums and pears, that wasps are most common.—H. W. Newman; Hillside, 
Cheltenham, April 4, 1860. 


British Hemiptera : a few words on them not in Scientific Language. 
By Epwarp Newman, Memb. Imp. L.-C. Acad. 


For the first time during a lengthened entomological career I hear 
a rumour of the British Hemiptera coming into favour. Messrs. 
Douglas and Scott promise us a list, or a catalogue, or some preliminary 
work, that is to act as a precursor to a knowledge of these hitherto 
neglected insects ; and no sooner have we this announcement than we 
learn that Mr. Walker is already engaged in a similar labour. I 
believe that no one in England possesses a knowledge of the Hemiptera 
anything approaching to Mr. Walker’s knowledge ; and I think I may 
add that Messrs. Douglas and Scott do not pretend to any such know- 
ledge, but have simply taken up the subject because no one else 
seemed inclined to do so. But although both these projects are now 
before our little entomological public, let no one suppose there will 
be two works on Hemiptera competing for public favour; [ apprehend 
that the two projects will either merge in one, or that the second, 
should there be two, will be simply a revised, enlarged and improved 


7020 Insects. 


edition of the first. This last is the better course: let one mark out 
the ground, the others erect the building; above all things let us 
proceed, as Mr. Doubleday has done with the Lepidoptera, and ascer- 
tain what has been done on the continent of Europe. 

But while negociations are pending, and without any idea of the 
views which either of our friends entertain of the methodical arrange- 
ment of these said Hemiptera, or, in common parlance, bugs, I beg 
to invite the attention of my younger readers to a simple mode of 
classification. All the Hemiptera may be divided by very simple 
and natural characters into four principal groups, from which I totally 
exclude the Aphides, and the curious genus Aleyrodes, which is not 
allied in any way by metamorphosis with the other Hemiptera, and 
also the still more extraordinary family of Thripside, comprising those 
mischievous little insects which nibble the purple petals of our Fuchsias, 
and entirely spoil their appearance. These and a few more odds and 
ends, together with one half of what I shall presently call the “ short 
horns,” are generally associated together under the name of Homoptera. 
For this droll association no entomologist has clearly explained the 
the reason, and should my young readers try to comprehend it I pro- 
mise them they will not succeed. 

The first thing to observe in a Hemipterous insect is the character 
of the antennz ; if they are long, jointed, capable of motion, and very 
plainly to be seen, the insect belongs to the division which I propose 
to call “long horns,” but if they are very short, without apparent 
joints, incapable of motion, and very difficult to find out, then the insect 
belongs to the division which I shall call ‘ short horns:” this kind 
of antenna may be called the ball and bristle antenna; it generally 
consists of one small round joint, and one very fine, small, short, 
bristle sticking out of it; neither the ball nor the bristle are to be seen 
without a magnifying glass, and the insects really look as though they 
had no antennz at all, because their antenne& are almost entirely con- 
cealed in a groove or cavity close to the eyes. 

Next we will divide the “long horns:” some run about the trees 
and shrubs and herbs, and feed principally, but not entirely, on the sap 
of plants, and others run on the surface of water, and feed on minute 
insects. The first I propose to call “ plant bugs,” the second “ water 
walkers.” The “ plant bugs” are really and certainly the true bugs, - 
Cimicina, and to this group properly belongs the bed bug (Acanthia 
lectularia), which I believe in its native country is a plant or timber- 
sucking insect; but, transplanted into a London atmosphere, it forsakes 
that cooling diet, and ceases entirely to be a vegetarian. Almost every 


Insects. 7021, 


one of these “ plant bugs ” emits a scent that is peculiar rather than 
agreeable ; but the “ water walkers,” or Hydrometrina, have no such 
scent,—at least I have never discovered that they offend the olfactory 
organs. 

The “ short horns ” offer an equally intelligible division into water 
and Jand insects ; the water insects live actually iz the water, and not 
on it, diving, swimming, walking and really living under water ; they 
feed on insects, and some of them seize on a drowning fly with such 
intense eagerness that they will allow themselves to be dragged out 
of water rather than forego their meal. They are called “ water boat- 
men ” or Notonectina, which swim, and “ water scorpions ” or Nepina, 
which crawl. The land Hemiptera with short horns are called “ frog- 
hoppers ” or Cicadina, and, like the land “long horns,” they feed, on 
the sap of plants. 

In collecting Hemiptera we must associate them differently, calling 
them “ plant bugs” and water bugs;” the first and fourth divisions 
now come together, and the second and third divisions come together. 
There is no way of getting the “plant bugs” so readily as with a 
walking stick and umbrella; they are almost invariably found on plants, 
and the best plants to search are junipers, yews, larch firs, oaks and 
birch: spread the umbrella, turn it upside down, hold it under the 
boughs, and beat or shake until the insects fall in. 

Now there is no racing or flying, the “long-horned plant bugs” crawl 
slowly and sedately up the silk or gingham, and make no attempt to 
escape the fingers of the entomologist as he picks them off one at a 
time and transfers them to his bottle of bruised laurel leaves, an indis- 
pensable implement of the bug hunter. The “short horns” require 
different tactics; they possess a leaping apparatus in the hind legs, 
which renders it very difficult to secure them ; the better way, when 
you have one of them in your umbrella, is to close it partially, and the 
“ frog-hopper ” will, by a series of angry but ineffectual leaps, soon 
get to the bottom, where he will be secured without any difficulty. | 

When once in the laurel-bottle your captures are quite safe: the 
fumes of prussic acid appear to have no painful effect whatever on 
the imprisoned insects; they walk about with apparent unconcern, 
after the first minute or two exhibiting a little weakness of the joints, 
and at the end of five or six minutes turning on their backs and 
ceasing to move. ‘This, however, is only a temporary stupor or 
torpor, or coma, as mesmerists would call it, for I have known them 
entirely wake up, recover, and attend to the ordinary occupations of 
life, even after passing twenty minutes in this comatose state therefore 


7022 Insects. 


I venture strongly to recommend that they remain in the laurel-bottle 
at least two days. 

On taking the bugs out of the bottles there is a choice of two 
ways of preparing them for the cabinet, pinning or carding ; mine are 
ancient specimens, and when they were caught I followed the 
ancient practice of pinning, but younger and better entomologists 
than myself invariably card their bugs. In case of pinning, the pin 
should be passed through the very centre of the scutellum, not on one 
side, as in beetles. Whether pinned or carded, the legs and antennz 
should be neatly displayed, and two or three individuals should 
be set with their wings wide open, so as to exhibit their characters, 
and to expose the dorsal surface of the abdomen, which is often gaily 
coloured: two or three individuals also should be laid on their backs 
to exhibit the colour and form of the under side. These instructions 


will appear trifling to experts in the Science, but all beginners will 


be glad of any attempt to direct their proceedings aright. 

The water walkers, water scorpions and water boatmen require dif- 
ferent treatment. A water-net must be provided which is constructed 
on this plan: an iron hoop, ten inches in diameter, is screwed to the 
end of a strong but light bamboo-cane, and on this hoop is fastened 
a bag-net, which of course is ten inches across at the mouth, 
and tapers gradually to the bottom a depth of eighteen or twenty 
inches: this bag-net is made of cheese-cloth, a fabric that has two 
excellent properties ; first, it is so strong that tearing is out of the 
question ; and, secondly, it allows the water to pass through freely. 
This implement may be used wherever there is water; in rivers, 
canals, ponds or ditches; especially at the sides where there are 
weeds growing in the water; for these weeds always abound with 
insect life, and you will invariably be more puzzled with the multi- 
tude of captures than disappointed by want of suceess. A great 
number of beetles inhabit water; the carnivorous and the herbi- 
vorous beetles have both a large aquatic section, and some of these 
you will infallibly find in every haul. But I am now only talking of 
Hemiptera. I always provide myself, when on these fishing excur- 
sions, with two or more wide-mouthed vials half-full of whiskey ; and, 
as soon as the water has strained off, I go down on hands and knees, 
and pick out the insects, popping them, one by one, into the vial. 
All the water Hemiptera are carnivorous, and desperately savage 
when handled; the water boatmen especially will instantly make a 
dig at your fingers with their sharp beaks; often have they made my 
blood flow very freely. But you soon get into the way of avoiding 


Insects. 7023 


their bites by a little skill in the handling; and the whiskey soon 
prevails over their propensity to fight with and damage their fellow- 
captives. If put into the bottle alive, and without spirits, they are 
quite sure to injure each other. 

These water Hemiptera may be kept in the spirits almost as long 
as you like, and when perfectly convenient you may take them out at 
any time, and after soaking them thoroughly in hot water, dry them 
on blotting-paper, and either pin them or card them just as you 
please. The cards to use for this purpose are called “ printers’ large 
extra;” the best cost about 8d. a pack, and one pack will probably 
last through the season. Different opinions prevail as to the size and 
shape of the cards; some entomologists prefer the cards all of one 
size, others all of one shape. I think qnestions of this kind 
are scarcely worth considering, but as Nature has introduced a great 
variety in the shape and size of her beautiful creations, so there can 
be nothing very improper in allotting to each individual an allowance 
of card somewhat in proportion to his bulk. | Gum is an article that 
requires more care, and the best is made by mixing equal quantities 
of the most pure and colourless yum trajacanth and gum arabic, 
adding a small portion of corrosive sublimate. 

But there is no objection to take home the captured Hemiptera in 
a perfectly wakeful state. If you intend doing this, provide yourself 
with a wide-mouthed vial and put in it a few strips of blotting-paper: 
drop the insects when caught into the vial, corking it after each is 
imprisoned. When arrived at home fill a small white basin with 
boiling water, uncork the vial over it and let the prisoners fall in; if 
any remain in the vial, give the bottle a sharp tap and they will fall 
into the water: death follows instantaneously and without a struggle. 
Dip them out with a tea-spoon and lay them on _blotting-paper. 
While the paper is absorbing the water, prepare the cards, gum-water, 
&c., for setting them out; you will find the limbs pliable and ready 
to take any position in which you wish to place them. Mr. Douglas 
tells me he prefers this hot-water mode of killing Hemiptera, 
but I have sometimes thought that hot water destroys the brighter 
colours. 

Epwarp NEWMAN. 


7024 Insects. 


Monograph of Tenthredinide much wanted.—I wish some entomologist would take 
upon bim to monograph our Tenthredinide, as Mr. Smith has done the bees and 
Fossores; it is a work much wanted. At present this family appears in the utmost 
confusion, no one venturing to give an opinion for fear he might not be correct. 
Perhaps Mr. Smith would be good enough to take up this next-of-kin to his favourites 
the Aculeata, as I am sure his pen and pencil would do us an infinite service by so 
dving.—£. Parfitt ; Museum, Taunton, February 4, 1860. 

Description of a new Species of Hemervbius.—The following is a description of a 
species I took here last autumn :— 


Hemerosius Hacenu, Mihi. 


H. Testaceo-flavescens. Antennis fusco-annulatis. Oculis nigris; femoribus et 
tibiis pallidis; tarsisque rufescentibus. Alis hyalinis, punctis fuscis sparsis; 
stigmatibus aurantiacus. 

Long. corp. 2 lin. Exp. alar. 63 lin. 


Pale testaceous. Eyes black. Autenne pale yellowish, rather short and thick, 
annulated to the tip with dark testaceous rings. Wings pale testaceous-yellow; the 
nervures slightly darker and dotted with brown; a few larger blotches of the same 
colour towards the apex of the wing; stigmata forming a bright orange blotch, very 
conspicuous. Posterior wings paler than the anterior, and without the brown dots, 
but having a bright orange blotch on the anterior margin, corresponding with the 
stigmata of the anterior wings. All the wings beautifully iridescent. Legs pale 
yellow; the ungues dark ferruginous.—d. 


Ants’ Nests and their Inhabitants.—When I was in the habit of visiting Ran- 
noch?and similar places in the far North,—where these things grow wonderfully 
large, — their investigation for beetles was not then so fashionable as it is now, or I 
might possibly have swelled the present list; in short I did not know that there was 
such a lupis mir(e)abilis underneath them, and the consequence was, my search only 
extended to the procuring the larve of Cetonia nea. The Germans, I believe, were 
the first to risk themselves in a colony of this kind, and to proclaim to the 
entomological world the wonders they had met with. Their antecedents soon 
procured hands as bold amongst us, and, thanks to their exertions, our lists soon 
showed the good they had done. I confess it is rather a startling thing to come upon 
an ant’s nest, about six feet in diameter by say eighteen inches in height, literally 
covered with a heaving blacklead-coloured mass, making a continual little crackling 
noise; after having examined them attentively for a little while, you next naturally 


begin to look at the ground on which you are standing, and also to look all around | 


you, and you see that although these ants are not so crowded as on the nest, yet they 
are there by hundreds, and that during the short time you have stood watching them 
many have found an opportunity of examining the watch-chain at your waistcoat- 
pocket ; and others—witha more hidden meaning—have crawled up the legs of your 
trowsers: the reasons for their doing so you will find by-and-bye. But to the ants. 
There is no hope of obtaining the beetles, except by plunging through that living 
mass and lifting away a portion of the nest, and so you must first spread a sheet of 


Insects. 7025 


good strong brown paper on the ground; it is preferable to cloth, because the ants are 
not so easily detached from the latter. Next, lift off the ants with both your hands 
from that part of the nest you are going to carry away to your paper; and now, as 
though the place had been set fire to, you see thousands of little streams poured forth 
to extinguish it. This is the formic acid they are discharging in self-defence, and with 
which they seem to be liberally supplied. The position they assume to enable them 
to do it is a very droll one. They stand upon the back of the abdomen supported 
with their third pair of legs: this brings the anus, from which it is discharged, so that 
the stream ascends in nearly a perpendicular direction. Should it by chance get into 
the eyes it causes extreme pain, and it makes a sensible hot feeling wherever 
it touches the face, as though blistering it: it tastes like very strong vinegar 
and smells very like blacking. Having lifted as much as you can conveniently 
do with both hands (it is bad policy to take too much at once), drop it on your paper 
and let it lie for a few minutes that the ants may wander out of it, and in the mean- 
time you can be cutting a small branch from some neighbouring fir-tree, to serve as a 
brush to brush away the ants which have and are wandering over the parts of your 
paper uncovered by the piece of nest. After you have cleared the bulk of them off, 
remove your paper to a distance from the nest, and then proceed to investigate the 
contents, which you must “ persuade” into a heap at one end. Then with a piece of 
stick or a knife-blade draw it down on to the body of the paper, a little at a time, and 
watch carefully. That little pitch-coloured shiny thing, about one-eighth of 
an inch long, is Saprinus piceus—hence its specific name ; you will see it move pre- 
sently. That larger black thing, not quite soshiny, is Dendrophilus pygmeus, and 
that dirty cinnamon-coloured piece of rotten twig you fancied had life in it, from its 
falling over just now, is no other than one of the Monotomas, of which there are two 
species to be met with, namely, M. angusticollis and M. conicicollis. Then the Staphy- 
linide have many members which luxuriate in this sort of life, Quedius brevis being 
the largest representative. Next in length is a Xantholinus (ochraceus), a fellow you 
find folded up in the most uncomfortable position you could conceive it possible for 
an insect to take. Fancy your finger with another joint to it and bent up towards the 
palm of your hand —as you can do without closing the hand —and the extreme joint 
folded underneath the one next to it, and this will give you some idea of it. Well, 
this is its position, and so it lies there. I am, however, not certain that it is 
peculiarly an ant’s-nest species, although it seems common there. Then there is 
Dinarda Maerckelii, easily known from its flat, broad appearance across the shoul- 
ders, and having reddish elytra. It is very active, and takes precedence of all the 
others in this respect. Next, a long narrow slender Staphylinus, called Leptacinus 
Formicetorum, and Homalota flavipes, Thiasophila angulata and Oxypoda formiceti- 
cola, may be observed trying to conceal themselves in every little cluster of the débris. 
The ants never molest them, and they seem to live on the very best terms. No one, I 
believe, has ever shown how these creatures obtain their living in the nests ; probably 
the greater part of them prey upon the larve of Acari and other small insects infesting 
the nests, and which may be hatched there for some wise purpose, or brought by the 
ants themselves on the small pieces of fir-leaves and bits of sticks. They are for ever 
buzzing about. The whole of the before-named species of Coleoptera are to be found 
in the nest of a single species of ant (Formica rufa) and many others are also known to 
be tenants of the same myrmecophilous pile. I have, however, confined myself to those 


XVIII. 2H 


7026 Radiata. 


species which within the last few days have fallen to my lot, and at another 
time I may probably return to the subject with a fresh batch of claimants for notice.— 
John Scott ; 13, Torrington Villas, Lee, S. E., April 16, 1860. 


Actinia Mesembryanthemum with Three Mouths.—I have now in my possession an 
Actinia Mesembryanthemum with three distinct mouths; it is only within the last 
fortnight that I detected the third mouth, althongh I have had the specimen for some 
months, during which it seemed to be merely a double-disked individual. Having 
often examined it at different periods, without noticing any sign of a third mouth, I 
can hardly resist the conviction that it has been developed within a short time of its 
detection. Double-disked examples of this species do not appear to be very uncom- 
mon. One specimen I observed last year while expanded in its native pool, but 
usually they have turned up among specimens taken at random: they have only 
occurred to me of small size and of the greenish varieties. The triple-disked 
individual is less than a small pea and of a pale olive-green colour, the margin of each 
mouth being of a deeper blue-green. One double-disked specimen apparently 
developed itself in one of my pans of sea-water. Having cut out the body of a lim- 
pet for microscopic purposes, I dropped the empty shell into the pan for the hermit- 
crabs, &c., to regale themselves on whatever might remain attached to it. After 
several weeks a minute specimen of Actinia Mesembryanthemum was noticed attached 
to the inner side of the shell, where it could not have been during the life of the mol- 
lusk, and on close examination it was seen to be double-disked. It is remarkable 
that none of this species of Actinia were in the pan, nor had there been any for two 
or three months previously.— George Guyon ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight, April 4, 1860. 

PS.— It strikes me that in my communication a few days ago, regarding double- 
disked Actiniz, I termed one of my specimens a triple-disked individual; if so I 
made use of a phrase not exactly correct, as, although it possesses three mouths, two 
of them are placed on the same disk without any intervening row of tentacles; at the 
same time there is a tendency to such a separation, as a single rather large tentacle 
stands well out from the rest on one side, marking where the division should be. 


DovuBLE-DISKED ACTINIA. 


Side view. View from above. 
a. a. Strip of Meat. 


PS.2.—Since my last communication I presented a long strip of meat to one of 
the mouths of a double-disked Actinia; it was of course drawn in, and in a few 
hours the Anemone had extended itself to take in as much as possible, a portion still 


Entomological Society. 7027 


projecting from the mouth. The opposite end of the meat was just inside the rim of 
the other disk, further than which it could not go. The next morning the food had 
been digested, and was being at the same time rejected by both the mouths, showing, 
if proof were needed, that they led to the same stomach.—/d. 


Proceedings of Societies. 
ENTOMOLOGICcAL SOCIETY. 
April 2, 1860.—J. W Dovetas, Esq., President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors:—‘ The Zoologist ’ for April ; presented by the Editor. ‘ The Proceedings 
of the Zoological Society of London,’ 1859, Part 3; by the Society. ‘Journal of the 
Proceedings of the Linnean Society,’ Supplement to Vol. iv. Botany; by the Society. 
‘Exotic Butterflies, Part 34; by W. W. Saunders, Esq. ‘The Journal of the 
Society of Arts’ for March ; by the Editor. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for March ; by 
the Editor. 


Elections. 


Dr. E. Candeze, of Liege, Belgium, was elected a Member; and George Seaton, 
Esq., of Trinity Square, Brixton, and J. C. Young, Esq., of Redwood House, 
Bromley, were elected Subscribers to the Society. 


Exhibitions. 


The President exhibited some specimens of a species of Trogoderma, which had 
bred in great numbers in rice imported from Akyab, about two years since, and now 
at Hibernia Wharf, London Bridge; he also exhibited a quantity of the damaged 
rice in which, he was informed, the larva had increased to a great extent within the 
last nine months. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited some splendid Lepidoptera sent from Batchian by Mr. 
Wallace, amougst which were beautiful examples of both sexes of Ornithoptera 
Cresus, Papilio Orumnus, P. Deiphobus, P. Codrus, and a fine new species allied to 
P. Peranthus ; also a small Hestia, very distinct from any described species. 

Mr. Lewis exhibited a damaged example of Telephorus atra, Zinn., a species not 
hitherto recorded as a native of Britain ; the specimen exhibited had been taken in 
Scotland by Mr, John Scott, and determined by Mr. F. Smith and himself, by com- 
parison with continental examples in the British Museum collection. 

Mr. Janson exhibited some Coleoptera taken at Rannoch by Mr. C. Turner. 

Mr. Westwood observed, with reference to the large species of Bruchus, 
exhibited at the last December meeting by Dr. Wallace, as infesting the interior 
of the nest of the Coquilla (Attalea funifera of Brazil), that there appeared 
from an investigation which he had made with a view to the determination of the 
species in question, to be considerable confusion in the nomenclature of the species 
allied to Bruchus Bactris of Linnzus, That name had been given to a species which 


7028 Notices of New Books. 


infests an American palm of the genus Bactris, and which had been first figured by 
Jacqiin in his ‘ History of Select American Plants, pl. 170. According to Schon- 
herr, this species of the allied Bruchus Nucleorum of Fabricius are at once dis- 
tinguished by having the intermediate joints of the antenne marked on the upper 
side with a deep oblong impression. It may, however, probably be questioned 
whether in the absence of specimens reared from the same species of palin, there is 
sufficient ground for the distinct identification of the Linnean species. In the 
‘Proceedings of the Entomological Society,’ September 4th, 1854, some seeds of the 
wax palm of the Brazils, Copernicia cerifera, were exhibited, together with the beetles 
reared from them. These were purchased by Mr. Westwood at the sale of the 
Society's exotic collection, and are now in the Hopeian Museum at Oxford. 
The beetles agreed with Gyllenhall’s diagnosis of Bruchus Bactris in Schonherr 
(i. .p. 93). 

Latreille’s Bruchus curvipes (described and figured by Humboldt, Obs. de 
Zovlogie, p. 158) was obtained from the fruit of a palm near Serullo, in New Spain. 
It has longer black anteune, with entire joints. Germar’s Bruchus ruficornis infests 
cocoa nuts brought to Europe, — the fruit, apparently of a species of Bactris (probably 
Bruchus minor); it differs from Latreille’s species in having red fore legs and 
antenne, but is given as synonymous with it by Schouherr, without, as appears, suf- 
ficient cause. 

Sir William Hooker had forwarded to Mr. Westwood a larva of one of these large 
species of Bruchi found in the interior of a seed of a palm (a species of Astrocaryum 
from Bahia) which had been received at the Royal Gardens, Kew: the larva differed 
in no respect from that of the Coquilla nut. Mr. Westwood had also obtained the 
nut of another kind of palm, in the interior of which was found a perfect beetle, which 
seems in no respect to differ from Bruchus ruficornis of Germar. Mr. Kirby also pos- 
sessed a specimen of a large and closely-allied Bruchus, evidently obtained, from its 
not fully-developed state, from the interior of some nut, also purchased by Mr. West- 
wood, but having much larger and more strongly-serrated posterior femora. A speci- 
men of the Coquilla-nut beetle itself is preserved in spirits in the Christ Church 
Museum, Oxford, in company with the nut and its larva. It also seems to agree 
with Bruchus ruficornis, so as to preclude the necessity of giving it a distinct 
specific name, until a more detailed examination of the allied species can be made. 
The species allied to Bruchus ruficornis are distinguished from Bruchus Bactris, 
not only in the smooth intermediate joints of the antenne, but also in having the 
sutural stria of the elytra simple at its base; in the latter species it is accom- 
panied at the base by two very short rows of punctures like an acute V.—E. S. 


Notices oF NEw Books. 


Day after day I regret the way in which these notices have fallen 
into arrear; but how unavailing is regret! Let me, however, call 
attention to the extracts, which number after number of the 
‘Zoologist’ contains: these are the cream of the zoological litera- 
ture of our period; and exhibit our progress in its most favorable 


Notices of New Books. 7029 


light. Henceforward, however, I propose to notice in each succes- 
sive number, every new publication that reaches my hands, and 
to combine this with an attempt to get up the arrears. 


‘A Sketch of the Natural History of Brighton and its Vicinity? 
By Mrs MerriFietp. Brighton: W. Pearce, 5, Bartholemews, 
1860. Post 8vo., 227 pp. 


Although most desirous for the success of this unassuming volume, 
and desirous also of giving full credit to the amiable authoress and 
her assistants, I cannot truthfully conceal the fact that, like all local 
* Natural Histories,” it reveals the amount of knowledge possessed by 
the compilers, rather than exhibits the natural products of the locality 
described. Thus we find, in insects, there are nine and a half 
closely-printed pages of the names of Lepidoptera; while of Diptera 
there are two pages only, and of Orthoptera and Hemiptera there is 
no name at all. Wherefore this disparity? Itis because the Lepi- 
doptera have been well studied, the Diptera little studied, and the 
Orthoptera and Hemiptera not studied at all. Because Mr. Henry 
Cooke has so long and ably worked at the Lepidoptera, there 
is a very full list of species, and because, as the authoress fairly states, 
“Of the Orthoptera and Hemiptera I have not been able to procure 
any local lists.” No one works at Orthoptera and Hemiptera. 
Every other section of the volume in the same manner indicates with 
precision the amount of labour and knowledge brought to bear 
on that particular section. The botanical lists are contributed by 
Mr. Mitten, and are really excellent; and Chapter VIIL, on the 
Botany of the South Downs, will be found most useful to the visitor 
in search of our native plants. 


‘The Natural History of the Tineina’ Volume IV., containing 
Coleophora, Part 1. By H. T. Srainron; assisted by Prof. 
ZELLER, J. W. Douctas and Prof. Frey. London: Van 
Voorst, Paternoster Row. Demy 8vo., 282 pages letterpress. 
Hight coloured plates. 


A most valuable volume, rivalling, if not surpassing, in beauty 
of illustration all its predecessors. The larve cannot fail to excite, in 
the mind of the thoughtful entomologist, reflections on the natural 

affinities of the Micro-Lepidoptera: we have here, reproduced on a 


7030 Notices of New Books. 


diminished scale, the exact figures of these xylophagous larvee which 
I first associated in 1832, and which constitute the most truly natural 
family in the entire class of Lepidoptera. Cossus, Zeuzera, Hepialus 
and Sesia are miniatured in Coleophora with the most marvellous 
precision. ‘The price of the volume is 12s. 6d. 


‘The Naturalist in Bermuda ; a Sketch of the Geology, Zoology 
and Botany of that remarkable Group of Islands. By JoHN 
MatHEw Jones, Esq., of the Middle Temple. London: 
Reeves and Turner, 238, Strand. 1859. Post 8vo., 192 pages 
letterpress, with a Map and a few Woodcuts. 


AN interesting and unpretending book, exhibiting a true love 
of Nature, and a total disregard of self. Little indeed was known of 
the Natural History of the Bermudas, and even now we wish to know 
more. The situation of the Bermudas, so well adapted as a resting- 
place for birds on their migratory tours, offers abundant opportunity 
for observation. In the list of birds observed by our author it 
is pleasing to meet with many whose names are so familiar at home. 
Mr. Jones is again about to return to England from these interesting 
islands, where, amidst other valuable knowledge acquired, it appears 
he has already done much towards unravelling the mystery of the sea 
serpent. I look forward with great interest to a second series, or at 
least a second edition, of the ‘ Naturalist in Bermuda.’ 


‘ Young England: the Butterfly Number. A Natural History of 
all the British Butterflies. By Epwarp Newman, F.LS., 
Z.S. London: W. Kent and Co., 51 and 52, Paternoster Row. 
1860. Price 6d. 


I have no pecuniary interest in this literary venture ; but as I heartily 
wish it success, I shall exhibit no false modesty about recommending 
it, although my portrait is so conspicuous on the title-page: I could 
indeed have wished this otherwise, but was overruled by the 
proprietor. , 

I have always held that a naturalist, that is a man who really 
believes in Natural History, must have two noble objects of ambition : 
first, making Natural History intelligible to every capacity; and, 


Botanical. 7031 


secondly, making it accessible to every pocket: It is in this spirit that 
this butterfly number has been conceived and carried out. The por- 
traits of all our British butterflies have been admirably drawn 
by Mr. Willis, and equally well engraved by Mr. Kirchner. The 
descriptions are all written by myself, from the butterflies themselves, 
and there are no italics, abbreviations, or signs of any kind: in each 
description are a few words, used in a sense somewhat different from 
that assigned to them in our dictionaries: such words are explained 
and illustrated by a diagram; and every description has been kindly 
revised by Mr. Bond. I fear that a few readers of the ‘ Zoologist,’ 
sticklers for the technical, will frown awfully on this first attempt to 
supply Natural History for the million; but to a large majority I 
confidently appeal to aid my efforts by introducing the Butterfly 
Number into every school in their neighbourhood, and into every 
family where there are boys and girls in want of occupation. 


BoTAnist’s CORNER. 


Woodsia alpina on the Breadalbane Mountains.—Last summer, when rambling 
among the Breadalbane mountains, in company with my father and Thomas West- 
combe, I met with Woodsia alpina in abundance. We were fortunate enough to find 
a locality which, to all appearance, had never been examined by botanists before, and 
where the plant was growing with a luxuriance and profusion that realised one’s ideas 
of what “ ought to be somewhere.” Imagine us revelling in the sight of tufts of this 
rarity bearing sixty-five, eighty, and even a hundred fronds each, some of these four 
inches long. I think I remember one spot where I could see seven tufts without 
moving a step. They are in many instances difficult of access, and some cannot be 
reached without extreme danger. One noble tuft of fifty strong fronds (apparently) 
can be easily seen, but even a daring and skilful cragsman would have to satisfy him- 
self with this. We subsequently found fourteen plants of W. Ilvensis among the 
Dumfriesshire mountains, some of them fine and well developed. The Dumfriesshire 
plant is the true W. Ilvensis, and very different from the true W. alpina of the Bread- 
albane district. In cultivation, and even ina wild state, forms of W. Ilvensis may 
be found approximating W. alpina in appearance; but no one who has seen the dense 
erect tufts of the latter in a wild state can, I think, doubt the specific distinctness of 
the two. I believe Prof. Balfour's Woodsia hyperborea of the Clova mountains to be 
W. Ilvensis. I have seen W. Ilvensis frequently in the Clova district, but never a 
single plant of W. alpina ; and a plant procured from thence, and marked W. hyper- 
borea, in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Edinburgh, was W. Ilvensis.—James Back- 
house, jun.; York, January 4, 1860. 

[I think there is little doubt that the Woodsia hyperborea of Hooker, Balfour and 
other British authors is identical with W. Ilvensis, and I think Babington right in 
making but one species out of the specimens known to him ; but the true Woodsia 


. 


7032 Botanical. 


alpina, apparently unknown to all three writers, first figured by myself, ‘ British 
Ferns, p. 79, and now found so abundantly by Mr. Backhouse and his friends, has 
strong claims to be regarded as a distinct species.—Edward Newman. ]| 

Presence of a powerful Colouring Matter in Mercurialis perennis.—The property of 
the dog’s mercury turning of a bluish or blackish green colour in drying, recorded by 
Messrs. Hooker and Arnott at p. 367 of their ‘ British Flora, has doubtless come 
under the observation and perplexed many collectors of botanical specimens, but L 
cannot ascertain that it has ever been attributed to the presence of a powerful, and in 
many respects peculiar, colouring matter, Many plants lose their colour in drying, 
from the decomposition of the green pigment in its reaction with other products, as 
tannin, &c.; but the discoloration of the Mercurialis results from the production in 
the process of drying of an extremely soluble bright blue colour, not the slightest 
evidence of which occurs in the living plant, though of course, like many others, it pre- 
exists in the plant in a colourless state. Gradual drying appears most favourable to 
its development, as if the life of the plant is too suddenly destroyed by desiccation ; at 
a high temperature little or none is produced. If the plant be allowed to gradually 
wither and lose its moisture in the open air, the presence of the colouring matter is 
made evident by the green parts turning of an inky colour, and the blanched patt of 
the stem from underground of a rich metallic blue. The colour is most abundant in 
the early spring, when the plant is about six inches high, and gradually disappears as 
it attains its maturity in the autumn. The extreme solubility of the colour is easily 
manifested by placing a little bit of the dried plant in cold water, which in the course 
of a few minutes will be turned of a beautiful indigo-blue. When I first noticed it I 
rejoiced in the hope that I had discovered a new source of indigo, but soon fuund its 
properties in no way corresponded with that colour. Blue indigo is intensified in 
colour by sulphuric acid, and forms a straw-coloured compound with nitric acid. The 
blue pigment of the Mercurialis, as far as I have been able to ascertain, is turned red 
by all acids; indeed one of its principal characteristics is the extremely fugitive 
character of the tint.as at first developed, and its tendency to change into a reddish 
purple. It differs from many vegetable colours, for example, litmus or red cabbage, 
in the red, produced from its blue form by acids, not being reconvertible into blue 
by an excess of alkali. A slight increase of temperature immediately converts the 
blue into a reddish purple tint, which appears to be the only permanent form of the 
colour. The blue colour also disappears on the solution standing for a few days, 
probably the result of incipient fermentation. In the dry state, as it exists in the 
plant, it appears to be more permanent, but I have not yet been able to dry from the 
solution the blue form of the colour. As a liquid, whether red or blue, it invariably 
evaporates to a rich reddish plum-coloured paste. I have been rather minute in the 
description of its characteristics, in the hope that some one may investigate the subject 
in a more practical form, and endeavour to utilize this product of one of our most 
abundant plants. I have little expectation that the blue form of the pigment can be 
made available by the dyer, but should think the permanent form, which is a fine rich 
colour, would make an excellent dye. According to Dr. Lindley many of the natural 
order to which the Mercurialis belongs have been made subject to the dyer’s art.— 
George Maw; Broseley, March, 1860. 


Natural-History Collectors. 7033 


Proceedings of Natural-History Collectors in Foreign Countries. 


Mr. H. Mounot.*—Mount Sabab, Koumban, Chantaburi, Siam, 
June 6th, 1859.—Siam is not so good a country for the naturalist 
as is generally imagined. This country offers nothing very brilliant 
in colour, nor extraordinary in the form of its productions. There 
are also difficulties to contend with seldom found in other countries ; 
the indolence of its inhabitants, their state of slavery, besides their 
religion, which forbids them to kill any animal, give you to under- 
stand at once that you must not expect much assistance from them. 
_ Iam also obliged to go on groping my way, as it were, and making 

new attempts, for all the Europeans established at Bankok are of 
opinion that this country is inexplorable, on account of its climate and 
dangerous inundations, and effectively I find that the localities which 
would prove the most productive are just those which are uninhabitable, 
even for the natives, during the greater part of the year. 

Now, however, I feel assured that you will be infinitely better pleased 
with the collection I am sending you, for it consists, for the greater 
part at least, of very good species,— Lucani, Longicornes, Anthribi, 
good Carabi, &c.,—captured just where you now recommend me to 
search, principally at the foot of the mountains, on their sides and under 
the bark of dead trees, so that during the last two months the hatchet has 
been more at work than the net. I send you only about thirty butter- 
flies, as they are rare and mostly very common. Birds are excessively 
rare here ; they retire to the plains or the woods during the dry season, 
and are only found on the mountains during the inundations. During 
the time I have been on Mount Sabab I have only seen one hawk 
and nota single partridge, quail or pheasant, and yet I pass the greater 
part of my time out of doors, and had we not made our provision of 
dried fish and rice we should be obliged to eat the insects instead of 
sending them to you, or died of hunger. 

Though I have only been three months in this province I am about 
to leave it, and am going on to Cambodia, which I believe to be much 
richer, being more woody, less cultivated and more thinly inhabited. 
By waiting longer I should lose a whole year, as the rainy season is 
commencing, and soon all communication with that country will be 
at an end until the dry season again commences. 

The topography of this country being so little known I cannot yet 

tell you in what part I shall take up my abode; it will probably be 


* Communicated by Mr. S. Stevens. 
XVIII. 21 


7034 Natural-History Collectors. 


beyond Bakambong, near the first mountainous district I shall find 
in Cambodia. I propose our travelling on elephants 100 or 150 miles ; 
and in the month of January J expect to bring my collection to Bankok, 
returning by the north-east ; until then you will probably hear nothing 
more of me, and I shall be deprived of the pleasure of hearing from 
Europe. Be patient then, and be assured that I shall not mind what 
privation or trouble I undergo, so that I discover what is rare or 
new. 

After having received the collection I now send you, it having been 
made in,a mountainous district, you will be able to judge what the 
country is really worth. Be so kind then as to give me your advice 
as to which will be the best locality for next year. My intention at 
present is to go as far as Chieng Mai, near the frontiers of China and 
the Birman empire, quite at the north of the kingdom of Siam; you 
will then see whether the north-east or the north-west is the best. 
The mountains on the northern extremity, and almost dividing Cochin 
China from Siam, undoubtedly must be good, and should offer the 
productions of both countries ; travelling in that direction would not 
be excessively dear, or would you rather advise me to go as far as the 
Kalmouks or the Tickhohos or Tickdohos before returning south. 
The rainy season has now commenced, after five months of dry weather 
such as has not been seen for thirty years; it brings with it insects, 
but plenty of mosquitoes and leeches as well. It will be many years 
before I regain all the blood which those tormenting suckers have 
drawn from me. What I most fear is to be obliged to remain several 
months without being able to do much, as the rain begins to fall in 
torrents, and keeps me in doors four or five days together. Again I 


have to combat with the ants and cancrelats, spiders and other des- ° 


tructive insects, which the rain obliges to seek for refuge in houses, 
and which from time to time, notwithstanding the greatest precautions, 
destroy part of my collections. 1 find that ashes put round the feet 
of the table prevent the former from reaching them quite as well as, 
and even better than, wood oil, which dries very quickly, or water, 
which evaporates very soon. I have no other or better remedy against 
the latter than to rub every evening the exterior and edges of my boxes 
with wood oil, mixed with the oil of the cocoa to make it more liquid 
and sticky ; I also dissolve a little naphtaline and camphor, the smell 
of which keeps off all winged insects ; but fish oil, of which I have 
none at present, is incomparably better than all. The damp is also 
another terrible enemy, against which fire is the only remedy, so that 
1 am obliged almost every rainy day to place my boxes in a warm 


Natural-History Collectors. 7035 


place, where there has been a good fire, of which nothing remains but 
hot coals and ashes, and to take care to turn them frequently. To 
kill insects I employ a means which I consider preferable to all others : 
J have a tin biscuit-box of very small dimensions, closing hermetically 
and with ease; in case of need I slip into it the small flat pieces of 
cork upon which I have pinned my insects; I then close it and expose 
it for a few minutes to the sun, or near the fire if the day is cloudy. 
In this manner the most lively insects, such as the Longicornes and 
the Lucani, soon die. They also dry very quickly when exposed to 
the sun ina tin box left open. As to the skins of birds I put them 
in a box on cotton, taking care above all that the edges are well 
covered with it; that alone is sufficient to prevent the ants from pene- 
trating. . It very often happens that a bird is brought to you with its 
delicate plumage covered with blood, and after having washed it you 
have no plaster to dry it; fine sand will, however, answer every pur- 
pose ; you have only to rub the feathers after having washed the bird 
with rather a hard brush until it is quite clean and dry; of course the 
drier and warmer the sand is the better it will answer your purpose. 
Should you think that these few remarks might be useful to collectors, 
and especially to travellers, I shall be obliged to you if you will make 
them known, for in distant countries, where one is frequently deprived 
of all resources, and where one has frequently no other shelter. than 
a miserable hut, simple expedients are in reality the best, as a very 
trifle may save from destruction rich and valuable collections. 

All my researches for insects upon the higher parts of the mountain, 
where there are neither footpaths nor fallen trees, have been unfruitful, 
and I have found a considerable quantity at the base, and especially 
in damp places covered with dead wood, the dried bark of which parts 
very easily from the trunk. ‘The province of Chantaburi, where I am 
at present, is one of the most beautiful, the most healthy and at the 
same time the most thickly populated in the kingdom of Siam. The 
population of its chief town is only 2500 or 3000, composed of 
Annamite fishers, Chinese merchants and Siamese cultivators, but 
the environs contain more than double that population. All the 
base of Mount Sabab and other neighbouring mountains are inhabited 
by Chinese, who plant pepper and sugar canes, the Siamese being 
further off towards the plains, where they have their rice fields. 
Unhappily, here, as in all other parts of this country, slavery and the 
_ heavy taxes which oppress the cultivators prevent all progress as well 
as the increase of the population. Coffee, which grows admirably 
here, and is of a superior quality, is only cultivated by the Governor. 


7036 Natural-History Collectors. 


How much it is to be wished that this country should one day pass 
into the hands ofa liberal and enlightened nation, such as England, 
for then it would become the abundant granary of the East. Egypt, 
formerly so celebrated for the fertility of its soil, the variety of its 
productions and the overflowing of the Nile, is far from being equal 
to the kingdom of Siam, The tree which produces the gum gutte is 
found on Mount Sabab, though not so frequently as in Cambodia. 
It blossoms during the cold season, in the months of November and 
December, so that at present 1 can only send you a few specimens of 
the wood. The trees which produce the eagle wood are rather common 
in this and the neighbouring provinces : the Annamites of Chantaburi 
who pay their tribute, or rather their personal tax, with it, make a 
secret of the indications by which it is known. The information 
which I have, however, been able to procure has put me in the way, 
and having caused several of these trees to be cut down upon the 
mountain I have made the following remarks. The tree which contains 
the eagle wood ought to give a hollow sound when struck with the 
back of the hatchet, because it is only in the cavities it is found. 
The older the tree is the more it generally contains. In the trunk 
there is also to be found a few empty knots, from which escapes the 
smell of the eagle wood, more or less strong, but as to the quality and 
quantity it depends entirely on the chance one has to fall in with a 
good tree. I now send you some specimens of this wood, of the stem 
of the eagle wood, also a quantity of other gums, Indian rubber, gutta 
percha, &c., found here, and are also very common in the large and 
mountainous island of of Ko-chang, situated near Thung Tai. 
Unfortunately on my return from exploring the islands and being at 
Pak-nam-ven, my servants having lighted a fire to keep off the mos- 
quitoes I had one morning all the skin of my bark consumed, and 
also my finest specimens of gum, which I had collected in the bamboos. 
However, it will be difficult even to obtain anything from that island, 
which is almost a desert, and is the terror of the natives on the coast, 
on account of the ferocity of the tigers which infest it. 


Among the Stieng Savages, Brelum, October 15th, 1859, North 
Lat. 11° 46’ 30". Long 103° 3', East of Paris.—I profit by 
a favourable opportunity which has just presented itself to 
write you a few hasty lines, and to give you signs of life: for 
the last two months I have been among the Stieng savages in 


Natural-History Collectors. 7037 


the middle of their immense forests, latitude precisely as indicated 
above, where 1 have passed the most favourable season for col- 
lecting insects and land shells. | Notwithstanding the King of Cam- 
bodia having given me a letter, in which he gave orders to all 
chiefs of (Skok Khmer) the Cambodia villages to furnish me with the 
means of transport for my journey, I have had much trouble to 
arrive here, as frequently neither chariots nor buffaloes were to 
be found in the hamlets through which I passed; besides, the Cam- 
bodian being the worst of all the species of animals found on the 
globe, like the ass, the only means of bringing him out of his state of 
lethargy, bordering on stupidity, is by beating him. This will give 
you a slight idea of the manner in which I have accomplished my 
journey, which lasted a whole month, three times as long as I could 
have made it on foot. 

On the 21st of July, after having reached Pinhalu, a village nine 
miles from the capital, I went down the large branch of the Mekong, 
as far as Polompa, a commercial city peopled with Chinese, at 
the conflux of two rivers. I then went up the great Cambodia 
River; the waters of it were still low, as all through the country the 
rainy season is more than two months later than usual. The 
Mekong is covered with islands, many of them eight or nine miles in 
length and more than a mile in breadth, such is the large and beauti- 
ful island of Ko-huten, which I reached in five days; judge then of 
the width of this river, which I consider to be about three miles. 
Pelicans are found upon it often in troops of more than fifty together, 
and especially the sandy parts are covered with an immense number 
of storks, sea-swallows and other aquatic birds. The general aspect 
of this mighty river is, however, more gloomy than gay; its water 
running with the rapidity of a torrent undoubtedly is most imposing, 
but that is all. Few boats are seen upon its waters, and its shores 
are nearly desert, the forests being more than a mile distant from 
them, and long grass or heaps of earth, which undermined by water 
fall down on the least noise; this is for the most part what is seen or 
heard. 

The Menam is much more animated in its general aspect. The 
rapids and cataracts commence at about thirty or forty leagues north 
of Ko-huten, on the confines of Lao, where it is necessary to quit 
large barges and take canoes, which you are frequently obliged to 

transport on men’s shoulders, as well as the baggage, before getting 
over those passages. The current of the Mekong is so strong that at 
certain seasons you can only make about a mile a day, and at times 


7038 Natural-History Collectors. 


the rowers go in the evening to look for the fire where they 
in the morning had cooked their rice. I sailed up it in a small bark 
with three rowers, and the current was so strong at the turning of the 
river that it was almost impossible to proceed; it was necessary to 
make a thousand efforts and even to hold on by the rushes, so as not 
to be carried away by the current. Eight days after leaving Pinhalu 
I arrived at Pempticlan, a large Cambodian village, from where 
it was necessary to travel by land. There remained one hundred and 
sixty miles to accomplish in chariots towards the east. I met with a 
good reception from the mandarins placed by Government over all 
this part of the country, and on the evening of the following day 
I was able to set out. The first day the chariots upset, and I found 
it almost impossible to proceed; we met with fearful bogs, quag- 
mires and marshy ground, but still more terrible, the chariots sunk to 
the axletrees and the buffaloes to their bellies. The following day, 
happily, the road became better, but during three weeks we saw 
nothing but a few poor rice fields near the villages, and we had to 
continue our way through a marshy plain covered with thick and dark 
forests, which remind one of the enchanted forests in the description 
of Tasso, and it seemed almost that from every trunk which was 
struck, there was about to appear some enchanted being; and it is 
easy to understand that the imagination of this Pagan people 
fancied those dens of monstrous and fearful animals to be the 
dwellings of malevolent spirits: twenty times in an hour the troop of 
men who—beside the conductors of the chariots—accompanied me, 
were obliged to raise the large branches and cut down the trunks 
which obstructed our passage, and at times to make a new passage 
altogether. Beyond Penhalu the Cambodians were much surprised 
to see us go amongst the Stiengs, and at the worst time of the 
year, for there the rainy season had commenced; even those 
who live nearest them dare not venture to approach them, so that had 
I not brought from Siam the two domestics which I had in my service, 
I could not have been able for any money to have found a single 
individual to follow me; even they felt the greatest repugnance to 
advance. As at Siam, Cambodia has a terrible reputation of in- 
salubrity, and unhappily for my domestics and for myself, all were 
attacked with fever in the middle of the forests; and since then I have 
had instead of their services, two patients to take care of. In passing 
through a village, peopled two-thirds by a barbarian race of 
Annamites, I risked being taken by them and finishing my explora- 
tions in a dungeon, where I should have found no other insects but 


Natural-History Collectors. 7039 


lice, so large and fat that they consider them most delightful. Last 
year the chariots belonging to the French missionaries were com- 
pletely robbed, and the men who conducted them seized, and with 
ropes round their necks conducted to Cochin China. 1 approached 
them, defying them to attack me, loading all my arms before them ; 
they were enraged in their hearts, but stood in awe; and the two fol- 
lowing days, as [ expected continually to be seized upon by surprise, 
I advanced with a pistol in my hand and my finger even upon the 
trigger; however, a little audaciousness had sufficed to keep them off, 
as I passed through without being molested. Notwithstanding the 
fatigue, the heat and the privations unavoidable in such a journey, I 
arrived safe and sound, for my own part, among the Stiengs, on the 
20th August, at a part called Brelum, where I found a station 
of Catholic missionaries from the Mission of Cochin China, and at 
some miles from its frontiers. To have proceeded further would have 
been impossible, as we could not have found the means of transport 
or provisions at this season of the year: the poor savages have con- 
sumed all their rice, and they have nothing to subsist upon but herbs, 
a little maize, and a little game which they procure in hunting. 
I accepted then the hospitality which was offered to me by a good 
missionary in his establishment, which happily was pretty well 
furnished. 

In a week or two the rainy season will have finished and 
the nights will become cold, so that there will be no insects to 
be found for several months ; I shall then be occupied with birds exclu- 
sively. My departure from this will depend upon circumstances ; 
perhaps I shall carry this letter to Panhalu myself; it is also probable 
that I may be detained some months in this locality, on account 
of the bad state of the roads and the impossibility of procuring 
vehicles during the rice harvest. Perhaps you would wish to know 
_ what this strange people are—supposed to be living alone on the plains 
and mountains of Cambodia, which they appear never to have left, 
and differing totally in manners, language and features, from the 
Cambodians, Laotians and Annamites,— all I can tell you is that I 
am led to believe that they are the aborigines of the country, 
and that they have been chased into these parts by the repeated 
migrations of the Thibetians, from whom evidently the Siamese 
descend, as well as also the people I have been speaking of. They 
appear to have had the same origin, if we may judge from their 
resemblance to each other, their religion, their character, their man- 
ners, &c. 


7040 Natural-History Collectors. 


All the country from the eastern side of the mountains of Cochin 
China to 105° long. and 11° lat. to Lao is inhabited by savage tribes, 
known by a name (‘the inhabitants of the heights’), which signifies 
they do not become attached to their country, and change their 
abode frequently. Most of the villagers are in continual hostilities 
with each other, but they do not attack in troops; they try to take 
each other by surprise, and the prisoners are sold to the Laotians as 
slaves ; their only weapon is the crossbow, which they use with an ex- 
traordinary dexterity, but rarely at a greater distance than twenty 
feet; they only employ the poisoned arrows for hunting the large 
animals, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes and wild oxen. 
The smallest wound is sufficient to cause death, and when the poison 
is fresh it is seldom that the strongest animal can make fifty steps 
before he falls; they then cut out the wounded part, then slightly 
roast the animal without skinning or cutting it up, so that it may be 
the better preserved ; then all the village is called by the sound of a 
trumpet (which is heard at a great distance) to have a share: equality 
and fraternity in its most perfect state exists in these little commu- 
nities: and our gentlemen commonists would be surprised to find all 
their theories put into practice, but engendering nothing but misery. 

The strongest European could not use the bow and arrow which 
the weakest and smallest of the Stiengs string with ease, the effect 
of habit. Nor are they altogether unacquainted with agriculture ; 
they sow rice, plant gourds, water-melons, bananas and other fruit 
trees; their rice fields are kept with the greatest care, but most of the 
hard work is done by the women; during the rainy season the men 
seldom go out, principally on account of the leeches which swarm 
in the woods in such a manner as to render them inaccessible; they 
therefore keep to their fields, where they construct small huts of bam- 
boo, but as soon as their harvest is over and the healthy season 
returned, they are continually either fishing or hunting; they never 
go out without their bows and a large blade of a knife with a bamboo 
handle, a basket on their back and another on their head. They 
forge nearly all their instruments with a mineral they get from 
Annam or Cambodia. Though they understand how to make 
earthern vessels, they generally cook their rice, their herbs, and even 
their meat in bamboos. Their clothing consists only of a band 
of cloth about the width of the hand, which, attached as a bandage, 
conceals more or less their nakedness. It is also the women 
who weave those kind of scarfs, which are long and sometime pretty. 
They are very fond of ornaments, and especially the women, who 


Natural-History Collectors. 7041 


have always their feet, arms and fingers covered with rings made of 
thick wire, and on their necks strings of glass beads; their ears are 
pierced with an enormous hole, through which they pass the bone of 
an animal, which is often more than three inches in circumference. 
They wear their hair long, the same as the Annamites, and knot it up 
with a comb made of bamboo; besides this they wear a kind of 
arrow made of wire, and ornamented with the comb of a pheasant. 
Their features are good and sometimes regular, and many of them 
have beards, that is to say, thick moustaches and an imperial: quite 
alone and independent in the middle of their forests, they acknowledge 
scarcely any other authority than the chief of the village, whose 
dignity is generally hereditary. 

For the last year or two the King of Cambodia sent at times 
the Mandarin who is nearest to the Stiengs as far as their first. vil- 
lages, to distribute marks of honour to their chiefs, hoping gradually 
to bring them under his dominion, and to be able one day to get from 
them slaves and ivory; he has already a few who pay him a small 
tribute every three years. His emissaries, however, scarcely dare 
pass the limits of their kingdoms, so much do they dread the arrows 
of those savages and the fevers that reign in their forests. 

The natural character, however, of the Stieng, is gentle and 
hospitable, and he is far from possessing the proud and stupid brutality 
of the Cambodian, or the refined cruelty and corruption of the 
Annamites; he is a good child of the forest, simple, and even 
generous. As to his defects, they are those of all the Asiatics,—cun- 
ning, an extraordinary ability to dissimulate, and idleness ; his passion 
is hunting, and he leaves most of the hard work to the women. 
In this they differ also from the Cambodians, that robberies are very 
rarely committed among them. They believe in a Supreme Being, 
but they only invoke the malevolent spirit, so that it may leave them 
in peace. They bury their dead near their dwelling, and cover the 
tomb with a roof of leaves, so that the soul of the departed may come 
and repose there, eat the grains of rice, drink water or wine, which 
they take care to place there frequently in small tubes of bamboo. 
On the roads formerly frequented by their departed relatives, and in 
their rice fields, they place similar offerings, which remind one of the 
custom of the Chinese, —“ Come and visit us often, poor soul ;” they 
then say, “ here is rice to eat, water to drink, a little earth to repose 
upon, and arrows for hunting.” They do not believe in the trans- 
migration of souls, but they believe that animals have also souls, 
which live after the death of their bodies, and that their souls 

XVIII. 2K 


7042 Natural-History Collectors. 


continue to wander about in the parts which they frequented during 
their lives. When they kill an animal they never fail to make 
a small sacrifice to it, in case its soul should come and torment 
them; they also ask pardon for having deprived the soul of its body. 
When it happens to be a large and fearful animal, such as an 
elephant, the ceremony becomes more imposing; all the village takes 
part in it, and during several days instruments and songs resound, so 
as to appease the soul of the majestic animal. 

Their superstitions are numerous; the cry of the owl during the 
night, the sight of a crow when about to set out on a journey, are 
considered bad omens, and are sufficient to make them change their 
plans. When they are sick it is the demon they say who torments 
them, and day and night, without intermission, they make a fearful 
uproar around the sick man, so as to deliver him from its power; and 
their noise does not cease until one of them falls down, as if in a 
swoon, crying out, “I have lim! he has passed into me! he is suffo- 
caling me!” They then interrogate the newly-possessed as to the 
remedies which must be used so as to cure the patient, and then what 
the demon requires or demands to abandon his prey, which is at 
times an ox, a pig, and, too often, a human being; in the latter case, 
they without pity seize upon a poor slave, whom they sacrifice to the 
malevolent spirit. They imagine that all white people inhabit small 
corners of the earth situated in the middle of the sea, and they are 
so simple that they frequently ask whether there are women in our 
country? If you answer them, in jest, “ No”; and tell them that when 
one wishes for offspring you have only to pull out a few hairs, plant 
them, and by the heat of the sun they grow into little children, 
they are willing to believe it, and ready to make an experiment unless 
you undeceive them. What they are most in want of is salt, and this 
is perhaps the cause of many cutaneous diseases which I remark 
among them, and this want of salt arises from the fear which the 
Cambodian merchants have to penetrate into their country. 

Besides this, the forests well merit the reputation they have of 
being insalubrious, and the natives themselves are tormented with 
fevers. The two French missionaries, who, like lost sentinels, occupy 
this solitary post, have suffered much from various diseases. Out of 
fifteen Annamites who accompanied them here, two-thirds are continu- 
ally travelling about. My own health, thank God, is excellent, notwith- 
standing hard work and long journeys, and the hatchet is at work as 
much as the net. We are here surrounded by tigers, rhinoceroses, 
buffaloes and wild oxen. However, those terrible neighbours cause 


Natural-History Collectors. 7043 


more fear than hurt; if they come out of their impenetrable dens 
during the night, the presence of man at sunrise makes them quickly 
return to their retreats, and to obtain them it is necessary to pursue 
them a long time, and to wait near the ponds and marshes where they 
go to drink. 

The fallow deer differ from those of Siam, and most resemble those 
of Cochin China. I have found many good and rare things here, but 
it is not unlikely that later | may find the same in Siam. The bam- © 
boo wood, which I had neglected for a long time, furnishes me now 
with an abundant harvest,— magnificent longicorns, which I much 
wanted. From one day to another one may prepare a quantity ; it is 
sufficient for this to cut down some of those trees near the paths, 
leave them to suspend obliquely and attached to the summit of 
a neighbouring tree; at the hottest part of the following day you are 
sure, on visiting them, to find those beautiful insects near the knots, 
or at work perforating the trunks, so as to make incisions. 

What will also cause you to rejoice, my dear Mr. Stevens, is the 
beautiful collection of land shells, and of which I am endeavouring to 
make ample provision. When, and above all how, am I to return to 
Cambodia, and from thence to Siam ? I dare not think of the difficulties 
which await me with this wretched people, the Cambodians, in trans- 
porting my treasures ; the dreadful shakings which my boxes of insects 
will have is heart-breaking, and I hope you will join your ardent 
wishes to mine that the beautiful collection which J already have, 
and which I shall, 1 hope, enrich still more, may be received by you 
in a perfect state, and at least that a part may be saved, so as 
to enrich and be of some service to Natural History. “ Poor soldier 
of the Science, they are thy trophies, and when lost, it is so much the 


more painful, having gained them by the sweat of thy brow.” Should 


the war with Annam cease, I might visit a corner of that country and 
return by water to Pinhalu. I do not, however, count upon that, but 
in short those who live will see. In recommending myself to your 
kind remembrances, I bid you good-bye, and wish you the same 
health which I enjoy in the forests of the Stiengs: may God preserve 
me from their arrows. 


H. Movsot. 


PS.— 20th December, 1859. — I arrived last evening at Pinhalu in 
perfect health, and am just setting off to the North to visit the famous 
ruins of Onkor, and to return to Bankok by Korat. 1 have scarcely 
time to write a few lines to you and to my family, so that you may be 


7044 Quadrupeds. 


at ease on my account, and to inform you at the same time of a col- 
lection which I am sending off by Kampot, Singapore. As you will 
see, I have passed among the Stiengs sufficient time to make a fine 
collection, and I have not spared myself any trouble to attain that 
end. At the same time I am only half satisfied in some respects ; 
birds are so rare that I have only procured a few; in the next place, 
the terrible shaking which they have had has much injured them. 
As to my insects and my most precious shells, 1 have been obliged 
to have them carried by men as far as this, and I am sending 
to Kampot in the same manner; it is expensive, but at the same 
time the only way to preserve them from being completely destroyed. 
I suspect that a packet of letters for me must have been lost, as I 
have not yet heard of the arrival of any of the collections sent; you 
may imagine how painful that is. On my arrival at Bankok I will 
send you some good maps of this almost unknown country, and more 
details than I can give you at present of the divers savage tribes by 
which it is inhabited. I am nearly convinced that much time is lost 
in working very hard here, as the country is poor and very difficult to 
explore, but that will not discourage me, and I hope during the 
course of next year I shall be able to send you some collections 
which will cause you pleasure when you receive them.—H. M. 


On the Habits of the Aye-Aye of Madagascar. 
By Humpurey SanpwitH, Esq.* 


SoME time ago Professor Owen wrote to me, begging me to procure 
him, if possible, a specimen of this animal, as the British Museum 
possessed neither its skin nor skeleton. Although the museum of 
Port Louis is small and insignificant in the number of its specimens, it 
is in this respect richer than that of Great Britain with its immense 
collection of curiosities, since it possesses a stuffed aye-aye, which 
does honour to the stuffer, both on account of its natural attitude and 
the excellent manner in which it is preserved. _ 

Now, when we examine this little creature, we naturally ask, where- 
abouts in the animal kingdom it ought to be placed. Those who are 
unacquainted with Natural History pronounce it to be a lemur, and 
really with great reason, although Cuvier has placed it more correctly 


* Translated from the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 


Quadrupeds. 7045 


in the order of rodents, and associated it with the squirrel and rat. 
There are, without doubt, excellent reasons for associating it with the 
lemurs, because, in the first place, it comes from the only country 
where the lemurs are found; and secondly, because no rodent has 
the rotating power in the bones of the fore-arm, neither can it, like 
man, move its members separately and use them as prehensile instru- 
ments, a peculiarity which we observe among the Quadrumana; and 
certainly no rodent possesses opposable thumbs on all the four feet : 
this character proves that the aye-aye has some affinity with the 
monkey and lemur, and that it is capable of climbing trees. From 
what I have just said it might be placed in the same family as the 
lemur, especially as it comes from Madagascar, but we shall probably 
change our opinion on examining the mouth. I would also wish you 
to observe that at first sight it resembles the lemur equally in its 
movements and the form of its body as in its tail and feet ; however, 
if it is attentively examined, you will see that a great difference exists 
between the feet of the aye-aye and those of the lemur. In the lemur 
the finger which may be considered the index of that animal is pro- 
vided with a claw, while the following fingers have flat nails, like those 
of a human being ora monkey; but you see in the aye-aye very 
curious claws, which cannot be compared with those of any other animal. 
They agree exactly with the habits of the aye-aye, just as those of the 
lemur are fitted for the habits of that animal; but they are very dif- 
ferent. This is another proof that Nature has various ways of attaining 
the same results. The fur of this animal is also less woolly than that 
of the lemur, but it is in approaching the head that we perceive a 
great difference between these two animals. First let me call your 
attention to the form of the head. At first sight it appears to be that 
of a nocturnal animal; its large and naked ears, much resembling 
those of a bat, are so constructed as to enable the animal to detect 
the slightest noise in the silence of the night. I must confess that I 
was a little puzzled on this point, this animal not being carnivorous 
like the cat, which is obliged to listen for the footsteps of its prey ; it 
is, on the contrary, frugivorous, but not exclusively so, otherwise its 
teeth would resemble those of the monkey,—at least it would have no 
occasion for the large incisors. Observe that its teeth are so formed 
as to enable it to gnaw the hardest wood. ‘They have no enamel, 
except in front, so that the inner surface at the extremity of the tooth 
is more quickly worn than the outer, and gives them the form of a 
chisel. The roots of these incisor teeth are probably persistent, 
like those of the other rodents, so that the teeth grow at the base 


7046 Quadrupeds. 


exactly in proportion as they are worn away at the extremities. The 
lower jaw, like that of the other rodents, moves evidently by means of 
a longitudinal condyle, so as to prevent any horizontal movement from 
back to front, and vice versd. 

Here then is a powerful rodent possessing a very delicate sense of 
hearing (a combination which induces me to believe the account of 
the inhabitants of Madagascar, who assert that this animal listens to 
the noise of the worm in the interior of- the tree, and that it then gnaws 
the wood until it has reached the worm, which it extracts with its long 
and slender finger), a description applicable to many other rodents. 
These animals, especially the mouse, the hare, the rabbit, and a still 
larger animal, the chinchilla of South America, besides having strong 
teeth designed for gnawing, are gifted with a very delicate sense of 
hearing. Living in constant fear of the larger Carnivora this delicate 
hearing is absolutely necessary to warn them of approaching danger ; 
while the Cheiromys or aye-aye, living in trees in a, country where 
there are no Carnivora of a magnitude to endanger its safety, has nothing 
to fear from the attacks of enemies, so that its acute sense of hearing 
must be provided rather as a means of attack than of defence. 

I had arrived at this point of my observations ; and, judging more 
from the supposed food of the aye-aye and from his general confor- 
mation than from his habits or his teeth, I had fed him with bananas 
and dates, thinking, of course, that as he was adapted for living on 
trees and had no canine teeth, far from being carnivorous he must be 
frugivorous and inseclivorous. J had him one evening in my room, 
and observed all his movements. It was very curious to see him 
climbing on the chairs and tables, and carefully observing the wood of 
each piece of furniture. While he examined the partition I heard a 
continued slight noise, which was quickly repeated, and I was some 
time in discovering the cause. At last | remarked that from time to 
time this little animal gave rapid, slight blows, which produced a 
vibrating sound, with the second finger, that thin thread-like member 
which resembles a bent wire, and by means of which it is said he draws 
the worm from the. trees: while he thus struck the wood he seemed 
to listen attentively. Once as he crossed my room, after having struck 
the floor he began to tear the matting with his teeth. As I was not 
disposed to allow him to destroy anything I was obliged to drive him 
away, but I felt convinced that he did really eat the worms which he 
found in wood, as it was related. Thus we have now among animals 
what the woodpecker is among birds, for although the latter is insecti- 
vorous it also lives on fruits and even on eggs. 


Quadrupeds. 7047 


Another very remarkable peculiarity of this little creature is his 
manner of drinking. Having placed a finger-glass of water before him 
I observed his movements; he approached the vase, extended his 
arm, and having plunged his wire-like finger into it he then passed it 
obliquely into his mouth; he repeated this movement with such 
rapidity that the water seemed to run from the vase into his mouth. 
It appears to me that this singular mode of drinking is the most con- 
venient to him for extracting the water from the cavities of the trees, 
the natural reservoirs to which he resorts for quenching his thirst. _ 

I have followed Cuvier’s system, and have placed this animal among 
the rodents; still, although this classification is as correct as any 
other we may be disposed to adopt, it appears to be inexact. Food 
is doubtless an important characteristic, many even say that it is the 
most important; certainly the teeth are the most necessary organs for 
eating, yet, if we take them as a means of classification, it must be 
acknowledged that we meet with strange contrasts; in a word, is it 
possible to compare for an instant this animal with the rat, either in 
its habits, its form or its general aspect? How different is the tail 
from the scaly member of the beaver, and what a striking contrast 
between the aquatic habits of the one and the climbing propensities of 
the other! Is it then consistent, because these two animals gnaw wood 
and have file-like teeth, that they should be ranked in the same class ? 
Far be it from me to criticize Cuvier, or to dispute anything which that 
giant in Natural Science has advanced ; I merely wish to point out 
the impossibility of arriving at a perfect classification. As for myself, 
if I could set aside the shackles of Science and succeed in forgetting 
all that I have learned, I should not hesitate for a moment to call this 
animal a new species of lemur, and for this simple reason,—that although 
it resembles the rat and the beaver in one respect, namely, the form of 
the teeth, it resembles the lemur in all other respects; first, in its 
general appearance; next, in its long thin body, in its habit of climbing 
trees, in the form of its claws, and especially in its long bushy tail. 
It has many peculiarities which we do not find in the lemur, but 
which are met with doubtless in the other animals I have previously 
mentioned : its teeth, for example, resemble those of the rodent; its 
ears and eyes those of the bat, because, being a nocturnal animal, it 
is necessary that all the rays of light should be concentrated in the 
pupil, which is as large as that of a cat. 

_ Having heard that the natives of Madagascar affirm that the aye- 
aye eats xylophagous larvze, and that it uses its wire-like finger to 
extract them from the wood, I did not implicitly believe the story, 


7048 Quadrupeds. 


knowing what absurd tales are sometimes related of birds and beasts. 
The peasants of England, for instance, firmly believe that the hedge- 
hog sucks the milk of the cows, and that the goatsucker or flying toad 
that of the goats, but, although we ought to accept these popular ideas 
cum grano salis, it is quite worth while to inquire whether the habits 
which are attributed to the aye-aye are in harmony with its conform- 
ation ; besides, I did not see why it should not eat the worms in the 
trees, though I could not understand why it should make use of the 
second finger to draw them from their holes, not believing that it could 
either pierce or extract the worm. However, I soon had an oppor- 
tunity of proving the truth of this assertion: having found some 
branches which had been eaten by worms I placed them in its cage, 
and observed its movements. I soon saw it climb on one of the 
branches and examine it attentively ; it then inclined its ears forward, 
and applying its nose to the bark he struck it rapidly with his curious 
second finger, as the woodpecker strikes the tree, though with much 
less noise. From time to time he introduced the tip of the wire-like 
finger into the worm holes, as a surgeon would his probe. At length 
he came to a part of the branch which evidently afforded an interesting 
sound, for he began tearing it with his strong teeth. He soon tore off 
the bark, cut away the wood, and exposed the hole of the worm, which 
he delicately extracted with his wire-like finger and conveyed up to 
his mouth. I observed his movements with much interest, and was 
struck with the wonderful manner in which this animal is provided 
with the means adapted to his habits; first, the fine sense of hearing, 
which enables him to distinguish the different sounds produced in the 
wood by his light tapping ; then the delicate smell which doubtless 
assists him in his researches; his secure step over the flexible branches, 
to which he clings by means of his four hands; his strong gnawing 
teeth, by which he tears the hardest wood ; and, lastly, the curious 
little finger, which he uses in turn for so many purposes. 


The Hybrid between Horse and Deer.— Have you or any competent zoologist ex- 
amined the animal now shown in London, purporting to “‘ combine the species of the 
deer and the horse?” Is it the same animal that was alleged to have been found in 
the New Forest a few years ago, and that was figured in the ‘Illustrated London 
News. —George Guyon ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight, April 4, 1860. 

Birth: of three Bears at Clifton Zoological Gardens.— A very interesting and 
curious addition has lately been made to the animals in the gardens of the Society, by 
the birth of three young bears. Not that there is anything unusual in the circum- 
stance of bears of the same species breeding in confinement. Those kept in the fosse 


Birds. 7049 


at Berne did so often, and instances in this country are common enough, but what 
appears so strange in the present case is the fact that the parents are of entirely dif- 
ferent species, the male being the American black bear (Ursus americanus) and the 
female the brown bear of Europe (Ursus arctos), there being also other circumstances 
known to naturalists which make the present case still more strange and uncommon. 
Green, the head-keeper, with his long-life experience of animals in menageries, has 
never known or heard of a case of the kind occurring elsewhere. It will be curious 
to see what the hybrid little beasts will be like when full grown. At present two seem 
to take after the mother, and the third has the black coat of the sire; but, according to 
Green, it is impossible to say what colour they may take hereafter. The cubs at their 
birth, in January last, were no larger than pointer puppies, and even now at six weeks’ 
old, are not so large asa Newfoundland puppy of the same age. They are like 
almost all young things, pretty and playful, and full of uncouth little antics ; they 
are, too, by no means shy, and will follow Green’s little boy like dogs. Madame 
Bruin and her infant family will doubtless be a great attraction to the young people 
during the coming summer.— The ‘ Western Daily Press, March 29, 1860. 


Wild Fowl in the Ornamental Waters of London. — My. Hussey is in error in sup- 
posing that no real wild fowl visit the ornamental water in the London parks. Some 
little time since I resided in London several years during the winter and spring, and 
have not unfrequently seen a small flock of perfectly wild pochards (Anas ferina) 
swim on the water in the Regent’s Park; they sometimes remained for at least a fort- 
night: when they first arrived they were very wild, but soon got quite tame, and 
would occasionally take bread with the other ducks. One of the park-keepers told me 
that small flocks of wild fowl passing over frequently descended, and remained for a 
time on the water. A male wild wigeon (Anas Penelope, Linn.) for several succes- 
sive seasons remained on the water in the Regents Park, and paired with a female of 
the common wild duck (Anas Boschas, Linn.). When I lived in London some of 
their progeny used to fly backwards and forwards from the lake in the Park to the 
pond in the Botanic Gardens. — H. scsi Crewe ; Wickham Market, Suffolk, 
March 30, 1860. 

What is the use of the Oil-gland at the base of the Tail of Birds ?—In his‘ Essays 
on Natural History’ (pp. 60—64), Mr. Waterton is very severe on those who maintain 
that birds ‘‘use oil from glands for the purpose of lubricating the surface of their 
plumage,” particularly objecting the impossibility of doing this to the head and neck. 
I possess no means of referring to the ‘ Essays,’ but will give the substance of notes 
made (as specially therein), just after I had read the work, in August, 1841. It would 
be somewhat difficult for any one to prove the actual fact that a bird “ procures oil 
from the gland with its bill,” &c. (p.61), since that perhaps could not be decided even 
by shooting the bird in the very act of pressing the gland; but it is surprising that so 
close an observer of the actions and habits of animals should not have noticed pro- 
ceedings which, at the very least, strongly countenance the opinion Mr. Waterton so 
positively impugns. Few persons comparatively enjoy the opportunity of making 
very near and accurate remarks upon birds in a state of nature, and I profess to have 


XVIII. y 


7050 Birds. 


seen only what almost any one else may see; still I must assert that, long before I 
became acquainted with Waterton’s ‘ Essays, I was fully convinced of the fact which 
he there denies. Domestic ducks, when kept near a house and treated kindly, will 
fearlessly perform their toilet within a very short distance of any one they are familiar 
with. Thus I have often watched ducks preening themselves with perfect composure 
only three or four yards, perhaps less, from me, when I could distinctly perceive that 
they inserted the bill among the feathers, with a motion precisely such as if gently 
compressing the gland upon the rump in order to squeeze out some of the oil, after 
which they resumed the operation of dressing themselves. This seemingly lubricating 
process was often repeated, and the effect was imparted to the head and neck (which 
Mr. Waterton considers a bird cannot reach for this purpose) by a very simple but 
methodical manwuvre. The beak, having been directed to the oil-gland, is next used 
—as if to discharge its contents—upon the feathers of the back, when the head and 
neck are thoroughly rubbed over the spot, which the length and flexibility of the neck 
enable the bird to do, so as completely to apply it to every part except the forehead, 
the plumage of which I remember noticing in the duck to throw off water less than 
that of any other part. The conclusion drawn from such observations was fully con- 
firmed by others upon a caged canary. These notes, though penned in 1841, were 
indited from memory, it is true, but I feel quite confident as to the general accuracy 
of my recollections. I do not, however, desire dogmatically to affirm the certainty of 
my inferences, particularly in opposition to a naturalist of such skill and varied expe- 
rience as Mr. Waterton; I would only invite readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ to employ 
their opportunities in endeavouring, apart from all theory, either to establish or to 
refute the opinion IT have expressed. I have taken for granted that the gland upon 
the upper side of the rump of a bird contains an oily matter, because that fact will be 
evident enough to any one who only opens the gland of the fowl he has been eating. 
‘ To account for only now producing reflections made nearly nineteen years ago, [ can 
only say that the ‘ Zoologist’ did not then exist, that the subject was not always borne 
in mind, and that, when it did recur, I hesitated whether or not to offer my notes for 
publication.— Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, April 17, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Wood Warbler (Sylvia sibilatrix) near Penzance, and Note on 
the Migratory Warblers.—After a careful attention to the different migratory warblers 
affecting this neighbourhood for the last twenty-five years, I have during the past week, 
for the first time, discovered the wood warbler near this place, and in full song, that is, 
uttering its thrilling sibilous song, and at intervals those very peculiar mournful chirps 
entirely different from its other song, and which might easily be attributable to another 
bird by those unacquainted with this bird. At present, we are unacquainted with the 
nightingale, lesser whitethroat, garden warbler, reed warbler and common redstart ; it 
is, however, by no means improbable that in the course of time I may have to record 
the appearance of these birds, for by some curious and inexplicable law many birds 
unknown in a district make their appearance all at once, and continue ever afterwards 
to affect the localities. In illustration of this I may mention the blackcap warbler and 
the common willow wren, species unknown here thirty years ago, and now found in 
most of our groves and plantations. I should mention that the above-mentioned birds, 
except the nightingale, have been captured at Scilly and in this neighbourhood during 
the autumnal migration, apparently in transitu, especially after strong opposing winds, 
and I may include also the pied flycatcher, but they have not appeared with us as 
summer visitors.— Edward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, May 10, 1860. 


Birds, &e. 7051 


Remarkable Monstrosity in the Beak of a Sparrow.—The engraving below repre- 
sents a sparrow caught in King Street, Brighton, in June, 1857; it was in a state 
of perfect health and very fat, and was brought to Mr. Swaysland, the bird-stuffer, who 
had several times observed it flying in the neighbourhood, from a stable yard, and with 
the appearance of an ear of wheat in its beak. Iam indebted to Mr. Bond for the 
loan of the specimen and the opportunity of having the very characteristic drawing, 
made by Mr. Willis. The limits of the proper beak are very clearly defined, and it is 
difficult to conceive how the supplementary portion of the beak could have been 
formed while the true beak was in constant use as a pecking instrument.—Edward 


Newman. 


The Sea Serpent.—(See ‘ Liverpool Daily Post,’ quoted Zool. oer ae 


I’ve a story to tell—I don’t say that it’s true— 
But just as I heard it I tell it to you. 
A ship there was sailing upon the blue sea 
With her canvas all set, when the captain, said he— 
“TI feel that the vessel is all of a tremble, 
A sort of sea earthquake it seems to resemble ; 
é Send forward the mate to see what is the matter.” 
When lo! what he saw would have made your teeth chatter, 
An enormous big snake rising out of the sea, 
Some three hundred feet long it might possibly be, 
Aud in bulk it might equal a “ wide crinoline ” 
(At least seven yards round that description must mean). 
With jaws eight feet long, and with eyes fiercely glaring, 
A horn and a mane, he looked horribly daring, 


7052 Fishes. 


‘While the bowsprit he shook in his terrible mouth. 

(Twas in Latitude East and in Longitude South,* 

The ship making six knots—leaving foam in her wake, 

Yet she stopped at the touch of this wonderful snake) ; 

And the jibboom and bowsprit were snapped like a straw ; 

But his strength was outdone by his marvellous maw ; 

For he swallowed the stay-sail and also the jib 

Like a boy gulping oysters—they went down so glib. 

With this stay to his stomach he turned him about, 

And gave with his tail such a vigorous flout 

That some timbers to atoms were crushed by the blow, 

And what more might have happened we none of us know, 

When an object appeared for the which he set sail, 

And both object and story were much like a whale. 
—George Guyon ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight. 


Note on the Piscivorous Propensities of the Common Carp.—A specimen of the 
common carp, between five and six inches in length, was lately observed to devour 
three small minnows, each of about an inch and a half in length, which were confined 
in the same aquarium with him. One of these the carp seized immediately the 
minnow was placed in the aquarium, and swallowed it whole, head foremost. This 
habit of the carp is new to me, aud may perhaps be worth recording.—J. H. Gurney ; 
Catton, Norfolk, May 7, 1860. 

Note on the Syngnathide or Pipe Fish Family.—The Syngnathide are most 
remarkable in their structural characters from all other fishes, forming an order, Lopho- 
branchii, from the singular character of the gills, which are not pectinated, nor in 
equal laminz, but disposed in pairs, in small tufts, a peculiarity not existing in other 
fishes. Their bodies are very slender, much tapering towards the tail, almost destitute 
of flesh, and covered with plated scales; they have a natatory bladder, and a tubular 
muzzle or snout, formed like that of Fistularide. In the British seas and in the 
coasts of Ireland we have six species :— two marsupial fish, having true caudal fins, 
Syngnathus Acus and S. Typhle; four ophidial, which contain S. equoreus and S. 
anguineus, having each a rudimentary caudal fin, and S. Ophidion and S. lumbriciformis, 
in which there is no caudal fin, the tail terminating in a fine point. All these species 
are exceedingly common in the harbours and estuaries of the south-west coast of Ire- 
land ; and another of the Syngnathide, Hippocampus brevirostris, has been taken in 
Smerwick harbour, coast of Kerry. Of the marsupial species, S. Acus and S. Typhle 
are plentiful in Dingle Harbour in the spring and early months of summer, frequenting 
stony ground abounding with Alge, in depths of four to six feet, where the develop- 
ment and protection of their ova can be accomplished. I have frequently taken both 
species in states of spawning, the S. Typhle with the young partially extricated from 
the ova, freed from the subcaudal pouch of the male, and actively swimming, whilst 


* “ Latitude 12° 7” East and Longitude 93° 52” South.” 


This is somewhat obscure, but I think, on the whole, 
It occurred t’other side of the Antarctic pole. 


(2 ————————————————O—vOV—V—Vn 


Fishes. 7053 


other portions of the ova in the pouch were not matured. These two species having 
a true caudal fin exercise it as a propeller, similar to other fishes, not being prehensile 
as in the other sections. The manner of passing the ova to the marsupial bag of the 
male fish is singular. In shoal water or a low tide these fish may sometimes be seen 
in pairs, side by side, apparently stationary on some rocky stone. At this time the 
ova—the capsules but imperfectly matured—are liberated from the female, and received 
into the abdominal sac of the male, the male fish having the power of expanding the 
lappings of the sac, and attaching the ova by a highly viscid or glutinous secretion. 
In time, as the process of maturation advances, the capsules of the ova enlarge, forming 
hemispherical depressions in the sac, and eventually the pouch is forced open by the 
full development of the ova and extrication of the young. In the other species, the 
genus Nerophis of the last edition of Yarrell and the Ancestra of other authors, the 
male fish are destitute of the abdominal or caudal pouch, and, unlike the last, have 
scarcely any caudal fin, their long tapering tail enabling them to twine around and 
cling to the stems of the larger Algez. In Dingle Harbour the S. equoreus may be 
met with very abundantly in the summer months, spawning in the months of June 
and July. This is the largest and most beautiful of the species, the girth of the body 
being oval, of a long tapering form to the tail, the colour of a beautiful fawn tinged 
with orange, and marked with numerous pale yellow rings. The irides are dark, 
tinged with yellow. In the female fish the abdomen is keeled, in that of the male 
depressed. A similar process as to the transfer of the ova takes place in the fish as 
described in the last, with the exception that the males have no abdominal sac to 
enclose the ova. These fish, under favourable opportunities of calmness and of tides, 
may be seen side by side clinging with their tails to the tufts of Zostera marina, in 
which position the male is enabled to attach to the abdomen the ova, by the same 
influence of viscid secretion alluded to in the marsupial species. This kind of depression 
in the abdomen of the male is clearly shown in the specimens of S. lumbriciformis, 
and in which the ova, attached in three rows, is seen. The S. anguineus and S. Ophi- 
dion are similar in habit to S. equoreus, frequenting the same localities in the spawning 
seasons, and agreeing in other characters and peculiarities, with exception that the 
larger species are sometimes found in very deep water, at periods when not spawning. 
The S. lumbriciformis is more frequent in rocky pools under stones, and is the smallest 
of British pipe fishes. It is extensively distributed round our coasts, and is remark- 
able for its beautiful markings, especially about the head, of wavy bars, and with white 
spots along the length of its body. The irides are reddish. It spawns and perfects 
its young in July. I regret that I did not obtain the recent specimens, to have 
examined the interesting novelty, certainly first detected and described by Dr. Corri- 
gan, of the manner in which the fish in feeding exercises a power for the inflating of 
the pouch or gullet, and the expansion of the jaw and mouth. I was aware of the 
singular manner of the distending of the throat and mouth of the dory (Zeus Faber) 
in receiving its food, and of singular peculiarities in Centriscus and in the Capros Aper, 
but the power in the Syngnathus appears altogether new, and seems analogous to the 
peculiarity in the vesicular inflation exercised by the hyoid bone in the howling 
monkeys, which communicates with the larynx, and produces the sound which gives 
the appellation to the animal. It is quite obvious how necessary are practical investi- 
gations in the living state to arrive at any accuracy in the characteristic habits of 
animals, and hence have resulted the observations of Dr. Corrigan. I should have 
mentioned that I have noticed S. equoreus greedily stripping the stems of Zostera 


7054 Mollusks—Crustacea. 


marina of the young of Anthea Cereus, which were attached in a semiglutinous state. 
—William Andrews, Dublin, May 1, 1860. 


A Day among the Cryptochitons.—The gale is over. I land on a warm calm day 
in the bight of the bay, and the contrast between the clear sunshine and smiling aspect 
of the green shore and the late raging sea and driving spray is very grateful. The 
sandpipers are quietly busy probing for worms in the saturated spongy soil; one very 
pretty species, with broad webs to his feet, is hovering about the surf chasing flies, and 
even swimming leisurely about in the water; the cormorants are dressing their coarse 
plumage on the rocks; the black-tailed gulls are sporting over the now. tranquil sea; 
and the inland pond, where the water-fowl used to hide, is twice its original size, so 
that the rushes no longer conceal the timid wigeon ducks and teal. The little streams 
are swollen into small torrents; the shingle is tossed up upon the grassy plain; the 
rushes are swept over and torn up by the roots; the outline of the beech is even 
altered, and, to show the force of the wind and the violence of the sea, thousands of 
large mussels in bunches and clusters have been wrenched from their anchorage on 
the rocks, and thrown up high and dry upon the strand. Crossing a narrow pro- 
montory, I descend the cliffs on the other side and reach the seaward shore. I find 
myself in a small bay,—high, jagged limestone pinnacles and huge vertical-seamed 
cliffs hedging me in and bounding the view on either side, and in front the open 
treacheruus main. The first objects I notice are prodigious masses of tangle, or 
Laminaria, thrown up in heaps, and hundreds of the large tunicated curious Crypto- 
chiton Stelleri, detached by the gale from the off-lying submerged rocks, and cast, like 
shipwrecked sailors, on the shore; dashed against the cliffs and ground by rolling 
boulders, their internal valves are mostly crushed, and here and there their mangled 
bodies are found, having been carried to the tops of rounded stones, and their bones 
picked clean by sea-birds. I walk, solitary and musing, up and down the bay, 
throwing mutilated Chitons by dozens into the sea, and am rewarded now and then 
by finding one tolerably perfect. Several specimens of the large Octopus—possibly 
the rather apochryphal O. chinensis—are cast ashore, and afford me an opportunity of 
securing the horny mandibles, the rudimentary skull, and some of the suckers from 
the arms. One I measure is six feet from the tip of one arm to the tip of the opposite 
arm. The large eyes are covered with the skin, with the exception of a very small 
round aperture; the body is black-brown and minutely granular. Large skate, rock~ 

‘cod and other fish have shared the untimely fate of the cuttles, and are lying dead 
and bruised among the stones, and fragments of the giant Lithodes (like the one I 
lately sent to the British Museum) strew the narrow strips of sand. It was an 
impressive scene, and remains indelibly stamped upon my memory.—Arthur Adams ; 
St. Vladimir Bay, Manchuria, September 12, 1859. 


Crustacea casting off their Legs.—Is there any reason known for the habit that 
hermit crabs so frequently indulge in of casting away their limbs? It is a popular 
belief among fishermen that lobsters throw off their claws from the fright occasioned 
by a thunderstorm or the firing of heavy guns, but the hermit crabs part with their 
members without any apparent oause of alarm, and sometimes continue to do so for 


Insects. 705d 


three or four days. A few weeks ago I noticed a small specimen had thrown off both 
the large claws; it of course remained in that conditioif many days, during which it 
took the food offered it, but with difficulty, from the want of the usual implements to 
convey it to the mouth. A few days ago it cast its shell, and is now again furnished 
with claws. The following note on the same subject was made more than a year ago. 
In the month of February a soldier crab, which had not been very long captured, cast 
away one or two of its legs without any apparent cause; in a day or two after a few 
more were discarded, together with the bigger claw, and after a similar interval the 
remaining limbs followed. The legless crustacean then left its shell and rolled help- 
lessly about the dish. I pushed the shell to it, but could not get it to re-enter; it did 
{ not seem to have the inclination, aud without assistance certainly not the power, as it 
lay on its back twiddling its feelers as its only amusement. In two or three days it 
seemed to have changed its mind, and on being helped to its shell took to it readily, 
and remained therein for ten days or a fortnight, when all further observation was 
ended by the dish being too long exposed to the sun, and the constitution that cared 
nought for the loss of arms and legs succumbed to the want of a parasol. The spawn 
was deposited at the same time that this specimen parted with its limbs, but no con- 
nection may exist between the two actions.—George Guyon ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight, 
May 9,:1860. 
Situation of Pyrgoma.—At Zool. 6994, as elsewhere, I find Pyrgoma spoken of as 
~ seated on the lip or “ margin of the corallum of certain Caryophyllacee.” A specimen 
of Caryophyllia Smithii now in my possession has two Pyrgome situated on the same 
fragment of rock, close to the base of the Madrepore.—Jd. 


A Glimpse of Mull and its Fauna. By ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE, Esq. 


Last summer, early in June, we enjoyed a pleasant excursion to 
the Highlands of Scotland. A notice of some entomological obser- 
vations made by us on our journey from Glasgow to Oban, appeared 
in the ‘ Intelligencer’ of September. In the present paper we propose 
to give a short account of our visit to the island of Mull. 

After spending about ten days in the neighbourhood of Oban we 
started, taking the road leading to the pretty Sound of Kerrera. 
When we had proceeded a little way, we followed the path which 
runs along the cliffs overhanging the shore, and had the pleasure of 
seeing the little speckled EKnnychia octomaculalis “ spinning along” 

-as Mr. Birchall describes it at Killarney. Melitaa Artemis was 
extremely abundant; we came on a female carelessly depositing eggs » 
among the short grass on Tormentilla stalks. Zygaena Flipendule was 
booming along with its heavy flight in the bright sunshine. We were 

unfortunately too soon for Zygzna Minos. 

The next object of attention was a pool, the surface of which was 
overspread with a species of Potamogeton. Here, after a few skims 


7056 Insects. 


with the bag net, we succeeded in taking a number of Donacia 
cincta. 

Time, however, did not permit of a lengthened stay ; we had much 
before us ; moreover, the uncertainties of the future began to cast their 
shadows on us, for as to our resting-place for the night all was obscure, 
save that our dormitory was to be somewhere on 


“ Mull’s mountain shores.” 


On our way to the small stone pier we picked up on the shore 
several snow-white Pecten niveus. This bivalve may be had, although 
somewhat sparingly, in the neighbourhood of Oban, at low tide. Its 
range does not appear to extend much further south than Oban; we 
have never observed it in the Firth of Clyde, although the coasts of 
that beautiful estuary have been frequently and carefully searched, and 
though the dredge has been used in deep water. 

After a few minutes spent in crossing the narrow sound we were on 
Kerrera. This isle is interesting as the scene of the death of Alex- 
ander II., King of Scotland, when on an expedition against the Western * 
Isles, then under the dominion of Norway. We took the road which 
leads to the western shore of the isle. On our way we found Lycena 
Alsus in profusion in several spots. This species seems to be some- 
what local in the west of Scotland, but is not rare in the localities 
where it occurs. Here also appeared again our old friend Macroglossa 
bombyliformis darting along the heathy hillsides, but the specimens 
were very much worn, and were not to be compared with the hand- 
some and freshly-emerged ones which we had taken behind Oban. 

What a view burst on us as we reached the highest part of the road ! 
On the east the two-peaked “ Cruachan Ben,” whose lofty summits we 
had so lately scaled, rose majestically, while “ Jura’s rugged coast,” 
“Mull’s dark headlands” and “‘ Morven’s shore” lay to the west. North- 
ward the green isle of Lismore, with its picturesque lighthouse, filled 
the eye. We were soon on the beach, where the ferry boat for Mull 
awaited us. The day was splendid, and the air so still that our two 
pilots waved the use of the sail and rowed us across the channel—six 
miles in an open boat. We had Her Majesty’s mail bag for our fellow 
passenger. The sea was covered with guillemots, puffins and sea-fowl 
of every tribe, which, as we approached them, rose in flocks and sped 
along in single file at no paltry rate, in some Cases not six inches from 
the surface of the water. 

On landing we took the road south and came to a large peat moss. 
Here we found Campylus linearis sparingly, Melanippe hastaria in 


Insects. 7057 


abundance, also Ennychia octomaculalis again. Nemeophila Planta- 
ginis was careering madly about, contrasting strangely in its flight with 
the slow zigzag movements of Chortobius Davus, which deients to 
_ dance up and down among the heads of the cotton-grass. 

We soon reached the mouth of Loch Spelvie. The problem, however, 
which had to be solved was—Given, Loch Spelvie with a tide running 
at six miles an hour, how tocross it. The practical solution proved 
rather a difficult affair. There was no one of course on our side of 
the Loch, and it was only after the most protracted “ singing out” 
and shouting that we gained the attention of the gentlemen of the 
opposition. 

For the friends of Crustacea we may mention that several large 
Maia Squinado were lying among the stern-sheets of the boat. 

The next and last part of the day’s programme was a walk of four 
miles along the shores of the peaceful Loch, at the head of which we 
were told there was a hospitable farm-house. This domicile we 
reached some time after the sun had set behind the purple-tinged hills 
of the west. 

Next morning we were early astir, and after a breakfast of the 
homeliest character prepared ourselves for a hunt among the heights. 
The grand object of the day’s enterprise, and that which we made up 
our minds, by hook or by crook, to attain, was the capture of Dytiscus 
lapponicus, a species which but a year or two ago was pronounced 
by Mr. Clark to be new to Britain. The morning was exquisite ; we 
were soon clambering over rocks and heath. We came upon several 
specimens of Carabus glabratus, one devouring the dead pupa of a 
dragon-fly. Carabus nitens also gladdened our eyes. Every now 
and then Bombyx Callune went tearing past as if on some behest 
of weal or woe. 

Reaching an eminence we descried a deep mountain tarn at some 
distance ; thither we betook ourselves with all speed. How Dr. Hagen 
would have revelled in the multitudes of Phryganide which tumbled 
about everywhere near the margin of the Loch. We took a newly- 
emerged specimen of Anax formosus, which we have identified from 
the description of the ‘Annual’ for 1857. In the Loch itself Hydro- 
porus halensis (Fabr.), H. erythrocephalus, Agabus arcticus and Gyrinus 
minutus were not rare. Though these species were very good we sighed 
after something better; but our wish was not to be gratified for 
several hours. After visiting many Lochs we came to one which looked 
likely to contain something good. We proceeded in different 
directions, and began to walk round the edge. At last—“Ah!—there is 


XVIII. 2M 


7058 Insects. 


something large coming to the surface to breathe—dive—up with the 
net—he is in —lapponicus for ever!” We need not say that what we 
had taken in no way cooled our ardour} our search became more 
exciting, and our labours were not unrewarded, for before leaving the 
high ground we had the satisfaction of bagging a somewhat creditable 
number. 

On our way down we came on some patches of birch wood in which 
Melanippe hastaria was actually in profusion, and as the light breeze 
swept past there was frequently a perfect swarm of them on the lee 
side of the tree. We noticed that they were generally more numerous 
round the mountain ash than the birch. 

Returning to our Highland shieling we sallied out in the afternoon 
to take a survey of the low grounds. We came to a loch, which, in 
some places was margined with tall marsh grasses. There several 
species of Donacia were luxuriating in the axils of the stems ; D. Meny- 
anthidis, D. Proteus, and another which we had the gratification 
subsequently to find proved to be a species new to Britain, namely, 
D. obscura of Gyllenhal, not Stephens. By sweeping in the water 
under the grass-stems Orectochilus villosus came up in the net. 

As an illustration of the fact that science and the business of common 
life go hand in hand, we may adduce the example of our having break- 
fast next morning much improved by a dish of trout caught in our 
Coleoptera net. 

Having to cross the island to catch—not a floating Dytiscus lappo- 
nicus—but the steamer, we .strapped on our knapsacks and started. 
The road at first lay through a birch wood; here we took Leptura 
quadrifasciata flying along in the sunshine. Our next business was 
the ascent of a lofty height, the view from whose summit we cannot 
stay to depict. It embraced a large portion of the Highlands of Scot- 
land and of the Western Islands from Arran to Skye, including 

“Ulva dark, and Colonsay 
And all the group of islets gay 
That guard famed Staffa round.” 
But of the hill itself and of the landscape immediately connected with 
it no better description can be afforded than that given of another by 
one of our Scottish minstrels. 


* Here—above, around, below, 
On mouutain or in glen, 
Nor tree, nor shrub, nor plant, nor flower, 
Nor ought of vegetative power 
The weary eye may ken. 


Insects. 7059 


For all is rocks at random thrown, 
Black waves, bare crags and banks of stone, 
As if were here denied 
The summer sun, the spring’s sweet dew, 
That clothe with many a varied hue 
The bleakest mountain side.” 


Several Hadena Pisi flew past us as we stood on the cairn. Ina 
shallow pool near the summit Hydroporus halensis and Agabus con- 
gener were tolerably common. In coming down the hill-side we 
observed Scopula alpinalis and Eupithecia pumilata. After reaching 
the base we had a walk of twelve miles, part of which was occasionally 
enlivened by a pell-mell chase after Bombyx Rubi. 

In the evening we reached Craignure on Mull’s “ dark Sound,” 
where next forenoon we were received on board the “ Clansman” by 
her hearty and courteous commander, Captain Graham. Our voyage 
conducted us to Stornaway in Lewis. The whole of our Highland 
trip was one of much enjoyment, and everywhere we had to acknow- 
ledge God’s preserving care of us. But our limits compel us to bring 
these remarks to a close. 


ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE. 
328, Renfrew St., Glasgow. 


Capture of Deilephila lineata at Brighton.—I had the pleasure of setting out this 
week a pair of Deilephila lineata, male and female. The first was captured by a boy on 
Saturday morning last, the 12th inst., not a hundred yards from where I live, and taken 
to Mr. Swaysland, naturalist, Queen’s Road. The second was taken by Mr. Sways- 
land himself, in his garden just outside the town, on Tuesday morning last, the 15th, 
inst., who sent them to me to set out. Mr. Bond saw the last one alive, and 
identified the species. I believe there cannot be the slightest doubt of their being truly 
British specimens.— Thomas Thorncroft ; 87, North Lane, Brighton, May 17, 1860. 

Deilephila lineata.—A fine specimen of this insect has just been brought to me to 
set out; it was taken near here, at rest among some grass and weeds in a hedge, and, 
from its appearance, cannot have left its pupa-case more than a couple of days.—J. 
Hellins ; Exeter, May 14, 1860.—From the ‘ Intelligencer. 

Deilephila lineata.—On the evening of the 13th I succeeded in capturing three 
specimens of this insect hovering over the flowers of the white Narcissus, their flight 
being precisely like that of M. stellatarum.—R. M. Stewart ; 3, Park Place, Torquay, 
Devon, May 14, 1860.—Id. é 

Larva of Tuleporia pseudo-bombycella carnivorous—On the morning of the 23rd 
ult., whilst sorting over the Micro larve I had collected at West Wickham the previous 
day, I observed a larva of Taleporia pseudo-bombycella. Not having brought home 
any fresh lichen I put the larva into a jar containing four females of Diplodoma mar- 

 ginepunctella. I should here observe that this jar, previous to the introduction of the 


7060 Insects. 


T. pseudo-bombycella larva, only contained a small piece of lichen, four females of D. 
marginepunctella, and the cases from which the aforesaid females had emerged. On 
the 29th I took the jar down for the purpose of mounting the females upon card, when, 
to my surprise, I found that the T. pseudo-bombycella larva had devoured them, and 
on closer inspection I observed it had decorated the top part of its case with the skins 
of its victims. In order, if possible, to observe its carnivorous propensity, I placed it 
together with a dead Micropteryx purpurella ina pill-box, and, upon opening the 
box at about 3 past 4 p. m., I perceived it had got the dead M. purpurella in its jaws, 
and was eating it. On the 7th inst. I put four more larve into a jar alovg with a dead 
house-fly and a woodlouse. One larva instantly commenced operations upon the 
stomach of the woodlouse, where it remained until I unfortunately disturbed it on the 
evening of the 9th inst. The other larve, however, evinced no desire to eat either the 
lichen or the insects, but crawled up the side of the jar, and being full-fed spun up.— 
Charles Healy ; 74, Napier Street, Hoxton, N., May 14, 1860. 

Food-plant of CEcophora tripuncta.— In answer to one of Mr. Miller's inquiries 
respecting the habits of the various Micros mentioned by him, I beg to inform him 
that both Mr. D’Orville, of Alphington, and myself bred Ccophora tripuncta. The 
larve were found by Mr. D’Orville feeding on a bunch of dried mint, hung up in an 
out-house. Mr. D’Orville very kindly gave me some of the pupz, but I had not the 
larve. Ihave no doubt but Mr. D’Orville can furnish us with a description of the 
larve. The habits of this species appear to resemble very closely that of Endrosis 
fenestrella in eating the leaves and stems of dried plants, or, in fact, being omni- 
vorous.—Edward Parfitt; Museum, Taunton, May 11,1860. PS. I find by reference 
to my notes that Gicophora tripuncta came out June 10, 1859.—E. P. 

On the Capture of Dermaster Blaptoides in Japan.—As 1 am in a good humour, 
having just fished up a new genus of Mollusca from a pretty good depth, I will tell 
you, at the risk of being tiresome, all about it, as Iam sure Adam White, at least, will 
be interested in the narrative. I was walking solitarily, for all hands had gone on 
board to dinner, along the shell-strewn strand of Taleu-Sima, a jolly little island, not 
far from the shores of Niphon,—walking along in a brown study, smoking a little clay 
cutty-pipe, and thinking chiefly of the contempt in which I should be held if some of 
my “ very particular”’ friends saw me in my disreputable “rig,” for my neck was bare, 
my coat was an old blue serge, and as for my hat it was brown felt, and I must say a 
“shocking bad one.” However, the sun was bright, the clear blue rippling sea was 
calm, the little island was new and verdurous, and I smoked serenely. On a sudden 
my abstract downward gaze encountered a grotesque Coleopteron, in a suit of black, 
stalking slowly and deliberately among the drift-wood at my feet, stepping cautiously 
and delicately over the spillican twigs, like a Catholic priest in a crowded thorough- 
fare. At once I knew my Coleopterous acquaintance to be Dermaster Blaptuides, for 
although my eyes are small, yet I have been assured by a young lady friend of mine, 
sometimes irreverently called “ Polly,” that they are penetrating, and my friend Adam 
White, when he warned me not to neglect my “ Carabs,” had sent me a rough outline 
of the “ corpus” of Dermaster. So I carefully lifted my unresisting sable friend from 
his native soil, and, after giving him a good long stare, I deposited him in a bottle. 
From his name and appearance I judged him to be cousin to Blaps, and I turned over 
the rock-weed for his brothers and other relations, but though Helops was there, Der- 
master was not. Puzzled, but not baffled, I conceived his tastes might be more 
particular, so I ascended the steep green sides of the island, and cast about for rotten 


Insects. 7061 


trees, nor was I long in discovering a very promising stump, nicely decayed, and full 
of holes enough to captivate the heart of any beetle. Being, however, fatigued with 
my scansorial efforts, I sat down before the citadel of the Dermaster, and assisted my 
deliberations by smoking a solemn pipe. Having propitiated Nicotiana and matured 
my plan of operations I commenced the work of destruction, when, lo! among the 
vegetable débris T described a long dusky leg, anon two more, and then, buried among 
the ruins, the struggling Dermaster. In this manner was the rarest beetle known 
captured by a wandering disciple of Zsculapius and an eccentric Fellow of the Linnean 
Society.— Arthur Adams. 

On the Capture of Carabi in Manchuria.—Some “ innocent ” not yet versed in the 
deep mysteries of beetle lore, and not inured to the toils of beetle-hunting, who may 
never have seen as I have the indefatigable Doctor Power on his stomach in a ditch, 
spectacles on nose, and the perspiration streaming down his cheeks with his fossorial 
exertions ; such complacent “ know-nothing ” may imagine that because I have some 
thousand beetles nicely carded in my store-box that I have only picked them up, and 
only put them down. Tosuch young person I can severely answer, You are quite mis- 
taken. Take, my friend, those great carnivorous ground-beetles, for instance the 
Carabi. Could you but see certain enthusiasts (for I had imbued many with the love 
of beetles) rushing wildly over the boulders and large flat stones in dried-up water- 
courses, at the “ imminent deadly risk” of bruised shins and sprained ankles, eager in 
the pursuit of tantalizing, active Cicindele, or could you but mark their progress- on 
the plain by huge stones upturned, or witness their frantic struggles and torn habili- 
ments in the scrub along some beach-fringing belt of trees, you would certainly, my 
dear young friend, modify your opinion. Come with me; we are in Manchuria (spelt 
all kinds of ways, and vulgarly called “‘ China Tartary ”); we land in a ship’s boat, and 
are left to the tender mercies of the mosquitos and bears. I put the gnats first because 
their name is legion, and their torment is nearly unbearable; but the angelic bears 
are “‘ few and far between ;” in fact, although I may have several of their skulls, I 
only had a good look at one, and he escaped with his valuable life, though several of 
us thirsted for his blood. We push our way breast-high in tangled brushwood, long 
hard grass and creepers and bamboos up the sloping sides of the sea-skirting hills, and 
when we reach the top we find it comparatively level, and instead of breast high in 
brushwood, it is knee-deep in flowers—peonies, nonkshood, Hoteras and Campanulas ; 
the trees are large, and there is more animal life astir. The pied woodpecker is scru- 
tinizing the whereabouts of grubs, and giving now and then an inquiring tap, while 
the little striped ground-squirrel plays at hide-and-seek among the branches of fallen 
trees. The head of a startled deer may be seen for an instant (a long brown nose and 
two great inquiring eyes), and then a portion of his other extremity, as he bounds away 
in the dim vistas of the trees. But I am wandering; my business is beetles. One 
thing in this wild green wilderness of Manchuria is the prodigious number of charred 
and blackened trees that strew the ground in every direction, though often so over- 
grown with weeds that the way you become acquainted with them is generally more 
practical than pleasant, namely, by finding yourself on your face among the flowers, 
your shins barked and your temper ruffled. The phenomenon of the prostrate trees is 
owing to the wandering shooting and fishing parties of Manchoo Tartars, who always 
fire the scrub and burn down the trees, to clear the land and make it yield good 
pasturage. It is, however, under these burnt logs that Carabs “ most do congregate ;” 
and the labour it requires to dislodge and capture them is really no joke. Two small 


7062 Insects. 


bipeds (energetic withal, and determined) might be seen in this great wild hill-side, 
one at each end of an immense blackened log. By well-directed efforts, assisted by 
sundry encouraging exclamations, as “ There! she moves,” “ Now then, Doctor,” or 
“ Again, again, again!” the log is turned over, and my amiable and worthy colleague, 
Sutherland, or my impetuous messmate, Buckley, will share with me possibly one or 
two fine Carabi; perhaps a neat black species with grooved elytra, perhaps the gorgeous 
Carabus intricatus in all his emerald glory, perhaps one equally as large, green and 
beautiful, with rows of beads on his wing-covers, or a small brown flattish species. 
Besides these you may bag a few specimens of Helops and Helops’ cousin-germans, 
and sometimes a Dorcus or Lucanus will reward our persevering, praiseworthy exertions. 
But oh! what sweeps we look on our triumphant return! Our nether habiliments, now 
no longer white, are somewhat torn, our hands are decidedly “ dirty paws,’-and our 
faces as smutty as the bottom of the family tea-kettle.—Jd. 

Opatrums and Sand.—We are at Hakodadi, in the island of Yesso. The day is fine 
and tempting, and the ship-worn naturalist is longing for a walk; for, believe me, the 
charms of Nature are very much enhanced after weary days of monotonous routine on 
board a ship. I trace the long, sweeping curve round Hakodadi Bay; long strings of 
horses carrying all kinds of merchandize pass me repeatedly: I buy a wicker-basket 
for an “itzélin,” and fill it with skulls and shells before I get afloat again; and now 
the great object of my desire, Umbonium giyanteum, a molluscous Trochidian, has 
been secured ‘‘in the flesh,” and the remainder of the walk is devoted to beetles. 
I intend to cross the narrow, sandy isthmus connecting the two bays and follow the 
outline of the outer one. Far along the sandy beach I go, my soothing pipe inviting 
meditation, and eyes, that “‘to their earthy mother tend,” intent on chalcedony, 
carnelians and nodules of marble, of which there are galore on the “beached 
margent of the sea.” The sunken camp is passed, where astute Nipong men daily 
practise rifle-shooting, and near which tempting deposits invite inspection and reward 
the Coleopterist with a huge black Copris, an amethystine Geotrupes, and a singular 
Onthophagus with long recurved frontal horn, and where Euchlore abound on the 
leaves of the young oaks. Vast mounts of white sand, covered with undulations like 
the ripples of the sea, drift-hillocks, soft and dazzling like heaps of snow, long wavy 
ridges, half burying the fishermen’s huts and banking up the boat-houses ; roses, 
large, blushing and fragrant, and Sedums with whorled succulent green leaves, and 
everywhere Opatrums. Rolling down the gentle sand declivities, or crawling painfully 
up the banks, under the dry, scattered shards of oxen and horses, under heaps of dead 
leaves, and by the snaky roots of brine-washed plants, there nestle scores and scores of 
gray-brown, rusty brown-black, rough-coated indolent Opatrums. Without much 
labour you may gather them by bushels, and leave as many for your friends. With 
the exception of their colour, which varies according to the amount of sand and dirt 
on their bodies, they are all alike as two peas, and tired, dusty and ungrateful, you 
come to the conclusion that all is—Opatrums and sand.—Jd. 

On the Capture of Dicranocephalus Wallachii in the Korea.—Forming one side of 
Chosan Harbour, in the Korea, is a green hilly island, covered with low trees, chiefly 
oak scrub, and full of loose moss-grown, lichen-covered, loose stones. In some parts 
the sides of the hills are furrowed by water-courses, where the wild pig feeds on the 
fallen acorns, and where the little hog-deer comes to drink. In other parts the broad 
base of the hill expands into grassy plains, where troups of horses graze, and where we 


find sballow scattered ponds, the favourite resort of sundry ducks and wigeons. It was _ 


| 


Insects. 7063 


in one of the wooded ravines of this little island that Dicranocephalus was taken, and 
this is the true and particular history of his capture. I am ashore with the watering- 
party, and as usual on the alert for beetles. Net in hand I wander far away over the 
hill-side, beating now and then the oak-scrub for Balaninus and Apoderus, or bagging 
pretty Longicorns as they come flying by, or taking glittering Agrili and its allies as 
they pitch on the sunny oak-leaves ; and this, by the way, is how the Buprestidx may 
be caught. Old Turner may patiently dissect decayed stumps of hawthorn in the New 
Forest for Anthaxia, but if he had watched, net in hand, in the fern among the young 
oaks, he would have seen them shining in the sun. However, as I wander on, I “ keep 
my weather eye lifting,” as we say in nautical phrase. Now friend Buckley has an 
especial penchant for game of a larger kind, looking down secretly may be on beetles 
and “such small deer,” so, gun in hand, he is on the trail of a buck. Ona sudden I 
am aware that something of an unwonted nature has succeeded in astonishing the 
mind of my predatory companion, for “ Doctor! doctor!” resounds through the gulley. 
Hastening as fast as untractable boughs and prickly twining stems of Smilax will 
permit me to the scene of excitement, J am agreeably surprised on beholding a strange 
great Coleopteron feebly struggling in a green bed of oak-leaves, and my friend of the 
fowling-piece gazing with surprise, not unmixed with alarm, at its unwonted aspect. 
T know him for a Goliath, and raise him carefully from his verdurous couch. Haply 
he has been flying in the sun round yonder cluster of fir trees near the top of the hill, 
and fallen, like Icarus of old, from his high estate. His body is covered with a downy 
bloom, like the sunny side of a ripe plum, and his head is adorned with two conical 
horns ; hence his name, Dicranocephalus, or “he of the double helmet.” He is very — 
strong, and in his ways resembles Octonia and Melolontha. I read in ‘Maunder’ that 
one specimen, now in the British Museum, was taken on the Himalayan Mountains, 
so that my prize, if not indigenous to the Korea, must have travelled a pretty long 
way. Be that as it may, he is now carded (not barbarously transfixed by a pin), and 
graces my store-box, wherein are displayed many beetles of equal beauty, but 
possibly of less celebrity.—Jd. 

Chrysomela marginalis found on the Mainland of Caithness, N.B.— My son, 
William Betts Peach, found a short time since the above-named pretty beetle on the 
island of Stroma, in some numbers on the grassy slopes at the north end and west side 
of that island. On first seeing a specimen I called it the Royal Volunteer, from the 
red stripe running down each side of it. Not being an entomologist I sent specimens 


to Andrew Murray, Esq., of Edinburgh, who kindly named it for me, and added, 


“Common on the Continent, but Orkney is the only Scotch locality yet recorded.” 
Stroma belongs to the county of Caithness, and thus with perfect propriety it could be 
claimed for Scotland ; now it may be safely, for on Saturday last, the 28th inst., my son 
found it rather plentiful on Duncansbay Head, and the cliffs thence to near Freswick, 
on the mainland of Caithness.—Charles William Peach ; Wick, N.B., April 30, 1860. 
[The insect is Chrysomela sanguinolenta of our cabinets.—E. N.] 


Notes on the British Trichopterygide, with Descriptions of some New 
Species. By the Rev. A. MatrHews, M.A. 


SINCE the publication of my former paper on the Trichopterygidz 
many very interesting additions have been made to the list of our 


7064 Insects. 


indigenous species. At that period, June, 1858, the curious group 
which I separated from the rest of the family, under the generic appel- 
lation of Ptinella, was represented in this country by a single individual 
of a species previously undescribed, and although as many as eight 
species were already known on the Continent not one of that number 
had appeared in these islands. 

During the last twelvemonth a great change has ics place. Early 
in the season, at a meeting of the Entomological Society, Mr. Janson 
announced the capture of three of these much-wished-for species, v7z., 
P. ratisbonensis, P. tenella and P. angustula. I must here remark 
that we were in error with regard to the last-named species, P. angus- 
tula. While staying in Paris for a short time, in February last, I had 
the opportunity, through the kindness of MM. Allard and Fairmaire, 
of examining some of the French collections of Trichopterygide, and 
discovered that the species first taken by Mr. Janson, and subsequently 
by my brother, the Rev. H. Matthews, and myself, was not the true 
P. angustula of Gillmeister, but one which has been lately found near 
Paris by M.M. Reitche, Fairmaire and others, and described by M. 
Fairmaire under the name of denticollis. All the specimens taken by 
Mr. Janson were found in the early part of last spring, and in the 
course of the summer my brother and I| were fortunate enough to meet 
with three fresh species, as well as specimens of denticollis already 
alluded to. They were again, by a curious coincidence, two apterous 
and one winged species, viz., P. aptera, P. angustula (this time the true 
P. angustula of Gillmeister) and P. limbata; so that at the present 
date the British list includes no less than seven distinct species of this 
curious and highly interesting group, vzz.:—P. britannica, Matth. ; 
P. aptera, Gillm.; P. tenella, Erichs. ; P. denticollis, Fazrm. ; P. angus- 
tula, Gillm.; P. limbata, Heer; P. ratisbonensis, Gzllm. But by no 
means the least satisfactory result of the capture of these living examples 
has been the discovery of large and well-developed eyes in the species 
hitherto considered sightless. Italways appeared tome somewhat incom- 
prehensible how an animal unendued with sight could not only move 
with such surprising rapidity in any purposed direction, but also avoid 
the obstacles it met with in its path, as I have often seen these insects do. 
But the mystery is now solved; the many species comprised in the 
blind section of this genus, the “ sans yeux ” of the Faune Frangaise, 
in reality possess as perfect visual organs as fall to the lot of any 
existing beetle,— the only peculiarity of these organs being the fact 
that they are concolorous with the other parts of the head, and situated 
mainly on its lower surface, a small portion only being visible from 


Insects. 7065 


above. The labium and other parts of the mouth also deserve some 
notice, exhibiting in many respects a great affinity to Deinopsis and 
other Brachelytrous insects. As I observed in my former paper, I 
think this family intimately connected with the Brachelytra. The 
well-known similarity of their habits, the high caste of their physical 
powers, the striking resemblance of their outward shape, and, as far as 
our present investigations reach, of the various organs of feeding and 
motion, all concur in placing them in close proximity to that extensive 
section. I am persuaded that this class is much more numerous than 
is generally supposed, and that many species are yet unknown. Itis 
not a little remarkable that in the course of one year as many as six 
species of a genus, so long known and sought for by British Coleop- 
terists, should have occurred for the first time in this country, but it is 
a fact which holds out abundant promise of future success; all the 
specimens of the past year were taken under the bark of decaying 
trees, and, where this habitat can be met with, I do not think the 
species of tree or the locality itself is of much importance ; the collector 
must be furnished with a large amount of patience and perseverance, 
and then he need not despair of success. Besides the Ptinellz the last 
season was productive of several novelties in the other genera of this 
family, two of which, Ptilium brevicolle and Ptenidium picipes are 
now described for the first time. 

I had intended in this paper to have revised the whole list of British 
Trichopterygidz, as much yet remains to be done before we can 
hope to arrive at a thorough uniformity of nomenclature; but for the 
want of reference to the works of some continental authors I am not 
yet able to do this effectually, and must, for the present, content 
myself with noticing a few of the most important corrections. The 
insect described in my former paper as “ Pteryx mutabilis” has proved 
to be indentical with the the T. suturalis of Gillmeister, although 
nothing can be less descriptive of the animal than his figure, or more 
inappropriate than the name he has given it. I have also ascertained 
by comparison with the French -collections that the T’. mollis of Mr. 
Haliday is the T. fucicola of the continental authors; and as the 
latter name possesses the right of priority, it must in future be used 
to designate this species in our lists. It will, I fear, be also necessary 
to change the name of Titan, under which I separated T. abbrevia- 
tellus from the rest of the family, as that term is objected to on the 
score of preoccupation by a genus of exotic Longicorns. In lieu of 

Titan, therefore, I propose to substitute Elachys (eaaxus), perhaps the 


XVIII. 2N 


7066 Insects. 


more expressive name of the two. The genus created by this sepa- 
ration may be characterised thus: 


ELACHYS, nov. gen. 


Trichopteryx, p. Heer; Erichs.; Faune Frang. Alibert ; Haliday. 
Titan (Newman), Matth. Zool. 6110. 


Antenne articulis undecim, basali maximo cylindrico, secundo 
magno, orbiculato, sex sequentibus fere equalibus, tribus ultimis 
majoribus, rotundatis, apicali acuminato ; elytra abbreviata, 
quadrata, abrupte truncata; pedes breviores, coxis omnibus 
magnis, posterioribus haud laminatis. 

Hoc genus multo magis Péilii quam Trichoptericis formam gerit ; 

ab illo differt elytris brevissimis, truncatis, et coxis dilatioribus; ab 
hac autem tota forma dissimili, et coxis haud laminatis. 


Plilium brevicolle, nov. sp. L.c. 4 lin. Oblongo-ovatum, pro- 
fundissime ac rugose punctatum, sparsim pubescens, piceo- 
brunneum, capite magno, tribus foveolis longitudinalibus in 
frontem indistincte impressis; prothorace transverso, lato, capite 
multo breviori, lateribus parum rotundatis, angulis obtusis ; 
scutello magno triangulari; elytris haud truncatis, ad humeros 
prothorace angustioribus, posterius parum dilatatis ; pedibus et 
antennis robustis, testaceis. 

Hee species singularis, capite magno, prothorace brevissimo et cor- 

pore rugoso ab omnibus aliis facillime potest cognosci. Capta prope 
Weston in agro Oxoniensi. 


Oblong-ovate, very coarsely punctured throughout, pitchy brown, 
sparingly pubescent; head very large, with three obscure longitudinal 
impressions on the forehead; thorax transverse, wide and very short, 
not so long as the head, with the sides somewhat rounded and the 
angles obtuse; scutellum large, triangular; elytra entire, rather 
narrower than the thorax at the shoulders, but wider towards the 
apex ; legs and antenne very robust, testaceous. 

This very distinct and curious-looking species is, with the exception 
of unusually minute examples of P. minimum, the smallest Coleop- 
terous insect I have ever seen. Itis more nearly related to P. Kunzei 
than to any other of the genus, but may be readily distinguished from 
them all by the peculiar shape of the head and thorax, and the extreme 
roughness of its punctation. A single specimen only has yet occurred, 
taken by myself in Oxfordshire some years ago. 


Insects. 7067 


Ptenidium picipes, nov. sp. L.c.3 lin. Ovatum, convexissimum, 
levissimum, nigrum, punctis remotis per totum corpus notatum ; 
capite magno, oculis prominulis ; prothorace capite longiori, 
lateribus valde rotundatis, angulis obtusis; scutello magno, tri- 
angulari ; elytris ovatis, prothorace parum latioribus, posterius 
angustatis, apicibus obtusis, ad apicem dilutioribus ; antennis 
ac pedibus piceis, aut piceo-nigris. 

A P. punctato forma ovata et convexissima ad distinguendum valeat ; 
ab aliis antem puncta per totum corpus dispersa, atque membra nigres- 
centia hane speciem indicant. Exempla nonnulla capta in Muscis 
prope Gumley vere novo. 

Deep black, ovate, very convex and shining, deeply but very 
remotely punctured throughout ; head large, with the eyes rather 
prominent; thorax rather longer than the head, with the sides very 
much rounded and the angles obtuse; scutellum large, triangular ; 
elytra rather wider than the thorax, ovate, narrowed posteriorly, with 
the apex obtuse, rather paler towards the apex ; legs and antennz 
piceous or pitchy black, the latter rather darkest. 

The curiously punctured surface of the body may, and I dare say 
has, confounded this species with P. punctatum, but it may be easily 
distinguished from that insect by its very great convexity and ovate 
and wider form, and also by having the disk of the thorax punctured 
throughout without the smooth space so conspicuous in P. punctatum. 
From the rest of the genus it may be known by the deeply punctured 
surface of the body and its dark limbs. It appears to be a very local 
species ; I find it in moss in the early part of the spring, at one small 
spot near this village, but not elsewhere. 


Besides the foregoing two other species were added to the British 
list in the course of last year, viz. :— 


Ptilium cesum (Erichson). Found rather plentifully by Mr. Greg- 
son in ants’ nests sent from Scotland. 


Ptilium saxonicum (Gillmeister). Of this one pair were taken by 
myself near this place in June. 


In order to give a more correct idea of the appearance and position 
of the eyes in the wingless species of Ptinella, I send a sketch of the 
under side of the head of P. aptera, as these organs are more con- 
Spicuous in that species than in the rest, but with a high power they 
may easily be discerned in all that I have hitherto examined, vz., 
P. britannica, P. aptera, P. denticollis and P. angustula. I have also 


7068 Insects. 


added an enlarged view of the labium and adjacent parts. This dis- 
section was obtained from P. denticollis, but the labium is similar in 
the other species. 


1, Under side of the head of Ptinella aptera. 
2. Labium, with the adjacent parts. 


3. Maxillary palpus, 


A. MATTHEWs. 
Gumley, Market Harborough. 
May 1, 1860. 


Errata.— I must also call your attention tv some errata in my last paper on the 
Trichopterygide, since, in more than one instance, these mistakes change the meaning 
of a whole sentence. P. 6106, line 4 from top, for “ acuminata ” read “ acuminato.” 
P. 6106, line 18 from top, for “ exigua” read “ exiguo.” P. 6107, line 13 from top, 
for “ determisset ” read “ deterruisset.” P.6108, line 6 from top, insert a comma after 
“ differt.”’ P. 6108, line 18 from top, insert a comma after “ calcaratis.”.—A. M. 


Note on Brachycentrus subnubilis of Curtis.—This insect has been very abundant 
here this spring, indeed swarming along both the banks of the river and the still 
waters of the canal. There appears to be some discrepancy between Stephens’ diag- 
nosis of this genus and that of Dr. Hagen; thus, Stephens gives “ Tibie with a pair 
of short spurs at the apex ; the intermediate and hinder pair with a second pair below 
the middle.” Dr. Hagen gives 2, 3,3; this is correct; but the Doctor has inserted 
a note (?) as to the number of joints in the maxillary palpi; he thinkstwo. The 
note of interrogation may be removed, as two is the number in the males, and three in 
the females. Now both the authors above quoted give June as the time of appearance 
for this species. I took them first about the middle of April, and they are now fast 
disappearing, so that by June I do not think there will be one to be seen. This locality 
it is true may make some difference as to the time, for more to the north, if possible, 
they are later in their appearance. The local names of this species I have ascertained 
tained from a fly fisherman. The male is called the “ hare’s flex ; ” this, I am told is 
from the fly-makers using the flex or felt from a hare to imitate this fly. The female 
is called the “ granum,” pronounced gran-um ; this I hold to be a corruption of the 
word greenum, as it is given in consequence of the female having a large green egg 
attached to the apex of the abdomen, which remains attached until carefully deposited 
in the water, when it rapidly sinks to the bottom. [I am somewhat inclined to think 
that Stephens had a different insect in view when he constructed his diagnosis, or I 
think he would not have made such a mistake in the number of spurs on the inter- 
mediate and posterior tibie ; and in this Iam somewhat borne out by capturing an 
insect similar to this, and agreeing with its generic characters, although I did not 
detect it until I had decapitated it and otherwise mutilated it in dissecting for the 
generic characters of the genus Brachycentrus. I then found the maxillary palpi 


Entomological Society. 7069 


differed in the form of the basal joint ; the apical joint is not pilose in front, but 
thickly pubescent all round; the spurs on the tibiz are as Stephens described them, 
2,4,4. The coloration of the wings is the same as B. subnubilus, and so nearly like 
it in other respects as to be easily taken for that insect without closer inspection ; but 
I hope to take more of this species, and I will then give a full description of it. At 
the same time I should wish to draw the attention of entomologists to the fact 
that every “apparent like is not the same’— Edward Parfitt ; Museum, Taunton, 
May 8, 1860, 


Proceedings of Societies. 
Entomovoetcat Society. 
May 7, 1860.—J. W. Dovetas, Esq., President, in the Chair. 


Donations. 

The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to the 
donors: —‘ Fragments Anatomiques sur quelques Elatérides;’ ‘ Fragments Anatomiques 
sur quelques Coléoptéres;’ ‘Fragments d’Anatomie Entomologique;’ ‘Note sur 
YAbsence dans le Nemoptera lusitanica d’un Systéme nerveux Appréciable; ’ 
‘Description des Galles du Verbascum et du Scrophularia, et des Insectes qui les 
Habitent, pour servir a l’Histoire du Parasitisme ;’ ‘ Mémoire sur une nouvelle éspéce 
de Belostoma (B. algeriense) et Reflexions sur ce genre d’Hémiptéres Aquatiques ;’ 
‘Recherches Anatomiques sur les Hyménoptéres de la Famille des Urocerates ;’ 
‘ Fragments d’Anatomie Entomologique sur les Buprestides, suivis de la Description 
d'une éspéce nouvelle de Cychrus d’ Espagne ;’ ‘ Histoire Anatomique et Physiologique 
des Scorpions ;’ presented by the Author, M. Léon Dufour.’ Naturgeschichte der 
Insecten Deutschlands, Lister Band, Eiste Haefte ; by the Author, Dr. H. Schaum. 
‘The Butterfly Number of Young England ;’ by the Author, E, Newman, Esq. ‘The 
- Zoologist’ for May ; by the Editor. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for April; by the Editor. 
©The Journal of the Society of Arts;’ by the Society. ‘The Atheneum’ for April; 
by the Editor. ‘The Farm and Garden,’ Vol. ii. Nos. 13, 14 and 15, containing 
papers on Injurious Insects ; by the Author, C. A. Wilson, Corr. M.E.S. ‘ The Ento- 
mologist’s Weekly Intelligencer,’ Vol. iv. and Nos. 183—187; by the Editor, H. T. 
Stainton, Esq. ‘ Die Deutschen Phytophagen aus der Klasse der Insekten,’ von 
J.#H. Kaltenbach; by the Author. ‘ List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects 
in the Collection of the British Museum,’ Part xx. Geometrites; by the Author, Francis 
Walker, Esq., F.L.S., &c. ‘ Insecta Saundersiana, or Characters of Undescribed Insects 
in the Collection of William Wilson Saunders, Esq., F.R.S., &c.;’ ‘ Coleoptera 
Curculionides,’ Part ii., by Henri Jekel; by W. W. Saunders, Esq. 


Exhibitions. 


The President exhibited a living specimen of Homeusa acuminata, found by Mr. 
Scott in a nest of Formica fuliginosa, at Mickleham, and living examples of Claviger 
testaceus from the same locality. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited a large collection of Coleoptera, made by Mr. H. Squire in 
the neighbourhood of Rio. 


7070 Entomological Society. 


Mr. Janson exhibited some Coleoptera and Lepidoptera sent from Perthshire by 
Mx. Turner. 

Mr. Scott exhibited Bolitobius inclinans, Mycetoporus lucidus and Elachista gan- 
gabella, and made the following observations respecting them :— 


Bolitobius inclinans, Grav. A single example taken at Coombe Wood. Authors, 
so far as I am aware, have not observed, or if so not described, the remarkable develop- 
ment of the basal joint of the intermediate tarsi. 

Mycetoporus lucidus, Erichs. Only three or four individuals of this species are 
known as having been taken in England previously. One specimen also taken at 
Coombe Wood. 

Elachista gangabella, Zeller. The type form of this species has a white fascia on 
the anterior wings, as in EK. zonariella and others of the group. The specimen 
exhibited, however, is entirely black. In certain lights there are very faint indications 
of the fascia. Bred by me last year from larve received from Mr. Stainton. It seems 
to be quite a south country species, and very local. 


Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited a small folding box, manufactured by Mr. Harris, 
of Oak Lane, City, for the purpose of transmitting small articles by post; from its 
lightness and strength he considered it would prove useful for entomological purposes. 

My. Saunders also exhibited some small galls growing in close clusters, found 
under the ground on the roots of common hazel. He had not yet succeeded in rearing 
the insect which caused them, but considered it must prove a distinct species from the 
Cynips Quercus-radicis, the galls produced by which are found on the vak, generally 
on the surface or immediately above ground. 

Mr. Saunders also exhibited an apparently new species of Harpalus, taken in Tre- 
land by Mr. Bouchard ; and illustrations of the economy of a beetle, apparently of the 
genus Urodon, from the Cape of Good Hope, which, in the larva state, inhabits one 
of the cells in the seed-vessel of a Mesembryanthemum, forcing the remaining cells, 
which become abortive, into a very small space. 

Mr. Walker observed that the galls exhibited by Mr. Saunders were probably | 
similar to one which Mr. Bouchard had lately found at the root of an oak tree. This 
gall was in the possession of Mr. Smith, who has reared numerous Cynipide from it, 
and also specimens of a Pteromalus, which much resembles P. Puparum, the butterfly- 
chrysalis parasite. 

Mr. H. Cooke exhibited a hybrid moth which had been obtained in the following 
manner. He had bred a considerable number of Ephyra trilinearia and E. orbicularia, 
and had repeatedly endeavoured to pair the opposite sexes of these species, but only | 
succeeded in one instance in doing so, the insects being a male E. orbicularia and 
female E. trilinearia. The female deposited eight eggs, all of which hatched, and the 
larvee in due course were full-grown, at which time they presented great dissimilarity 
in appearance, two or three exactly resembling the larve of E. trilinearia, while others 
were precisely like those of E. orbicularia, the remainder differing much from those of 
either parent. Although all of them seemed to enter the pupa state in the most satis- 
factory manner, yet only the one moth exhibited, and that somewhat crippled in the} 
posterior wings, was produced. This insect bore very little resemblance to either} 
species, the colour and markings approaching nearer to E. poraria, the central fascia} 
common to all the wings being broad and well defined. 

Mr. Bond exhibited a specimen of Smerinthus ocellatus, having one side of the 


Entomological Society. 7071 


abdomen pure white, the markings in all other respects being as usual. The insect 
was taken at Freshwater. . 

Mr. Rye exhibited a specimen of Euryporus picipes, taken at Holme Bush. Also 
both sexes of Ptinus germanus, from Purfleet ; and a fine series of Badister peltatus, 
taken by himself near Boston. 


Mr. Saunders read the following extracts from Froebel’s ‘Central America,’ 
pp. 433 and 537 :— 


Poisonous Caterpillars. 


“Early the next morning we arrived at San Antonio. Here I learned what had 
befallen, during the three months of my absence, the small caravan with which I had 
started from Chihaohoa. They had encamped in the prairie, a few miles from San 
Antonio. Sickness had broken out among the mules, carrying off nineteen of the best 
animals, and afterwards more died on the road. Several had been bitten by rattle- 
snakes, and saved with the greatest difficulty. The same thing happened to one of 
our drivers, but a remarkable accident befel the waggon-master; he had crushed on 
his hand a little hairy caterpillar which was crawling on it, and in a few minutes the 
most alarming symptoms appeared. A shiver ran from the hand through his whole 
frame, and especially down his back. His abdomen swelled, his tongue was heavy, 
his consciousness became dimmed, and for a week the man was in imminent danger. 
I afterwards saw the caterpillar in a collection of insects at San Antonio, where the 
patient recognised it. Ifhe was right it is a little worm covered with long yellowish 
hairs, about a quarter of an inch long; it resembles a caterpillar, but whether it is 
one I cannot say. I afterwards heard of other examples of the extraordinary effects 
caused by this creature. In a garden at Indianola one of them dropped from a tree 
on to a child’s arm, who immediately screamed with pain ; the arm swelled, a violent 
fever came on, and the child’s life was in great danger for several days.’—p. 433. 


Mineralogical Ants. 


“ Before continuing the account of our journey I must offer a remark connected 
with an observation I made in the desert. When traversing certain parts of the North- 
American Steppes and Deserts I have frequently observed ant-hills formed exclusively 
of small stones of the same mineral species, as, for instance, small grains of quartz. 
In one part of the Colorado Desert the hills of these mineralogical ants consisted of 
heaps of small shining fragments of crystallized feldspar, chosen by these little animals 
from the various components of the coarse sand of these parts. The last time I was 
at El Paro a North-American driver came to me and inquired the value of a small 
bag of garnets he possessed. On my asking in what place they had been found I 
heard that these stones — imperfect crystals of red transparent garnets — were the 
material of which the ants build -their hills in the country of the Navago Indians, in 
New Mexico, and that he knew a place where any quantity uf them might be collected. 
These remarks may perhaps not be uninteresting to the question relating to the gold- 
seeking ants of Herodotus.”’— p. 537. 


Mr. Saunders also read descriptions of some new species of the genus Erateina ; 
and exhibited the insects to the meeting. 


Part 5 of the current volume of the Society’s ‘ Transactions’ was on the table.— 


E.S. 


7072 Notices of New Books. 


Norices oF NEw Books. 


‘The Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. Vol. v., Nos. 1 and 2. 
Montreal: Dawson, Great St. James Street. London: Sampson 
Low, Son and Co. 


The commencement of a fifth volume of ‘ The Canadian Naturalist’ 
is a fact to be hailed with satisfaction, and we may state that it fully 
maintains its interesting character. Mr. D’Urban contributes “ Ob- 

_ servations on the Natural History of the Valley of the River Rouge ;” 
Dr. Dawson a paper “ On the Tubicolous Marine Worms of the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence;” Mr. Kemp “A Classified List of Marine Alge from 
the Lower St. Lawrence ;” Mr. Billings describes a new Paleozoic 
Starfish of the genus Paleaster from Nova Scotia; “ An Abridged 
Sketch of the Life of Mr. David Douglas, the Botanist ;” a paper “ On 
the Silurian and Devonian Rocks of Nova Scotia, by Dr. Dawson ;” 
“Descriptions of New Species of Fossils from the Silurian Rocks of 
Nova Scotia,” by Mr. Hall; “A Review of Darwin’s great work ‘ On 
the Origin of Species by Nathiral Selection ;*” and.a number of mis- 
cellaneous papers extracted with much judgment from other journals. 
I have gladly accepted the offer to exchange the ‘ Zoologist’ for the 
‘Canadian Naturalist ;* I hope other editors of English or European 
journals will follow the example, and will from time to time give a 
summary of the contents of the latter. Nothing tends more effectually 
and beneficially to advertise a Natural-History periodical than the ~ 
plan of giving a list of its contents, unaccompanied by any disparaging 
observations. Praise is not required, nor will it induce many pur- 
chasers, but a careful abstaining from every remark that can be con- 
strued into an exhibition of ill-will or jealousy on the part of the editor 
is absolutely essential when dealing with the labours of a brother 
journalist. 


‘Animal Physiology” By Wittt1aM CaRpPENTER, M.D., F.R.S., 
G.,S. L.S. New Edition. Thoroughly revised and partially 
rewritten. London: H.G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 
1859. Foolscap 8vo., 604 pages letterpress, and numerous 
woodcuts. 


This book is so well known that it is useless to say anything of this 
particular edition. 


Insects. 7073 


A Revision of the Synonymy of the British Species of the Genus 
Bombus of Latreille. By Frepertck Situ, Esq., Zoological 
Department of the British Museum. 


In the second volume of the ‘Zoologist’ I published my first 
revision of the genus Bombus; in the fourth I described, as a new 
species, the B. subterraneus, and on turning back to the remarks which 
I at that time added it will be seen that I was conscious of the diffi- 
culties which attended a discrimination of the species, and expressed 
a conviction that hereafter it would be found that I had committed 
many errors. 

In 1855 my monograph on the Bees of Great Britain was published, 
and the synonymy again underwent a revision; many corrections were 
undoubtedly made, but several errors were again endorsed. 

It may at first sight appear somewhat remarkable that a third 
revision should be found necessary, but this idea will not occur to those 
who have studied the Apide. I by no means flatter myself that the 
revision which I now put forth is perfect, but I think it will prove to 
be a close approach to so desirable an end. It is doubtless a work of 
considerable labour to work out the species of even a small group of 
insects so as to bring the nomenclature into satisfactory accordance 
with that employed by continental authors, and when this desirable 
end is accomplished how frequently does a single lesson of out-door 
Entomology upset some of our apparently most felicitous conclusions ! 

Were I to delay the publication of the nomenclature until I have 
satisfied myself of its being so perfect that nothing, apparently, could 
subsequently disturb any portion of my fancied work of perfection, it 
is probable that this paper would never see the light; but having 
amassed probably the largest amount of material that has ever been 

brought together for the purpose of investigation, and having with 
-mnch care and to the best of my ability thoroughly gone over it, I 
deem it best to place the results in an available position. 

In order that I might come to my task prepared with the best 
possible materials for the purpose, I entered into correspondence with 
Hymenopterists in Denmark, Sweden, France and Germany, and 
having supplied them with examples of the British species, and also 
received from them the species of their respective localities, I have 
been in a position to rectify many errors which, without possessing 
specimens, I could never have accomplished. The short general 
descriptions of both Linneus and Fabricius are not sufficient for such 

XVIII. 3 20 


7074 Insects. : 


a purpose; and as they seldom give any clew to the size of their 
insects, this circumstance alone, in many instances, renders discrimi- 
nation impossible. 

It is a well-known fact that humble bees, being all densely clothed 
with hair, are subject to extremes of variation, through bleaching by 
exposure to the sun, &c. This, however, is not the only difficulty : 
two of our most abundant species of brown bees, B. Muscorum and 
B. senilis are frequently so closely alike that none but a practised eye 
can detect their differences, and yet the former of these runs into 
innumerable varieties, so much so as to-induce Kirby to create eight 
species out of them; the latter, B. senilis, only differs in being more 
or less pale. On the other hand some species seldom, if ever, vary ; 
in B. Hortorum, for instance, a species found in all parts of Europe, 
specimens of which I have seen from Lapland, Finland, Denmark and 
the South of France, I cannot detect any sensible difference ; others, 
from the regions of Arctic America, exactly correspond with examples 
taken in the vicinity of the metropolis. 

Fabricius has described, in the ‘Systema Piezatorum,’ thirty-three 
species of European Bombi, only nineteen of which are, in my opinion, 
entitled to that rank; the remaining fourteen being either varieties, 
males or workers of the former. Many of these it would be impossible 
to assign to the species to which they really belong without an exami- 
nation of the typical specimens of the insects described ; fortunately 
this has been accomplished, in.several instances, by Dr. Nylander and 
M. Drewsen, of Copenhagen. To both these eminent Hymenopterists I 
am greatly indebted for information, which has, in a considerable 
degree, reduced the difficulties which stood in my way. 

Having found an examination and comparison of the male generative 
organs an unfailing guide in the determination of the species in the 
family Vespidx, I determined to test its value in the discrimination 
of the species of the genus Bombus, and the results have proved most 
satisfactory ; in general, the differences of form are most marked and 
decisive, and it is only in one or two cases that the differences are 
slight; but even then I consider them satisfactory: the species 
between which I have found the slightest differences are B. terrestris 
and B. Lucorum. There is not a single species which has not under- 
gone such an examination ; and in order to test the constancy of form 
in the male organs I have, in the cases of B. Muscorum, B. lapidarius 
and B. Hortorum, examined from thirty to forty of each species, and 
can therefore confidently attest the value of such investigations an 
comparisons. The results contained in this paper cannot, | am aware 


Insects. 7075 


prove interesting to the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ generally ; but when- 
ever the time may arrive in which the Aculeate Hymenoptera receive 
their due share of entomological research, my labours on the genus 
Bombus will be found, I trust, to have been not altogether prosecuted 
in vain. 

Since the commencement of this paper my esteemed correspondent, 
Mr. Charles Drewsen, has forwarded me his collection of Bombi from 
Copenhagen ; in my communications I had mentioned my intended 
revision: for this liberal and voluntary assistance, not my thanks alone, 
but that of every Hymenopterist in the country is due. I am now 
enabled to speak and to make corrections with a confidence I could 
not otherwise have assumed. 

I have not had occasion to make any alteration in the synonymy of 
the genus Apathus, that which I gave in the ‘ Monograph on the Bees 
of Great Britain’ being, as I believe, correct: M. Drewsen thinks there 
is a fifth species, the male being the A. Francisanus of Kirby, and the 
female what I consider nothing more than a variety of Apathus cam- 
pestris: this point will perhaps be more. thoroughly investigated by 
some future Hymenopterists. 


1. B. Muscorum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 349, 32. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 
46,27. Drews. & Schiddie, Bomb. Kréy. Tidsskr. ii. 108, 2. 
Smith, Bees Great Brit. 212,1. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 228, 4. 

Apis Muscorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. No. 1714. 

~Bombus Mniorum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 350, 40 (var. 3). Drews. & 
Schiédle, t. 2, f. a, b. 

Bombus senilis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 352, 50, 3. 

Bombus pygmeus, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 353, 54, ¥. 

Apis floralis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 8321, 76, 2. Apis Beckwith- 
ella, Kirby, 323, 78,9. Apis Agrorum, Kirby, 326, 81, 9. 

Apis Sowerbyana, Kirby, 322,77, 39. Apis Curtisella, Kirby, 324, 
79, 3. (var). 

Apis Francillonella, Kirby, 319,75, 3. Apis Forsterella, Kirby, 325, 
80, ¥. 


The B. Mniorum is a remarkable variety, which, I am informed by 
M. Drewsen, is not uncommon in Denmark: this form is nearly 
approaching to blackness in all the sexes; in England I have only 
seen an approach to it in the workers. The B. senilis of Fabricius, 
I am informed by Dr. Nylander, who has examined the typical speci- 
men in the Museum at Kiel, is a small variety of this species; the 
synonym, B. pygmezeus, is added on the same authority. I have 


7076 Insects. 


obtained from different continental localities the true B. Agrorum ; it 
is very distinct from the variety A. Agrorum of Kirby, and is a species 
not yet I believe discovered in this country. That this is the true 
Apis Muscorum of Linneus is proved by an examination of the typical 
specimen in the Linnean Cabinet in the Museum of the Linnean 
Society. I have also obtained specimens from Sweden and Denmark 
which are identical with the Linnean insect. In M. Drewsen’s col- 
lection is a fine series of the variety B. Mniorum: every shade of 
variety exists between our darkest specimens of the female, and one 
in which the pubescence on the thorax and abdomen above.is black, 
having a few pale hairs intermixed at the base and apex of the abdo- 
men. The other sexes vary in a similar manner; the intermediate 
varieties strongly resemble examples of B. Sylvarum. 


2. B. senilis, Smith, Zool. ii. 544, 1 (nec Fabr.); Bees Great Brit. 


214, 2. 

Bombus cognatus, Steph. Brit. Ent. Supp. vii. 17, t. 43, f. 3, Q. 
(immature). 

Apis Muscorum, Kirby, ii. 317,74. Don. Brit. Ins. xi. 70, t. 382, 
{2 


Bombus Muscorum, Wesiw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii, 253, t. 16, f. 3, 9. 


This species is readily distinguished from B. Muscorum by the rich 
fulvous pubescence on the thorax above, and by the almost uniform 
paler colour of the pubescence on the abdomen; the corbicula are 
also pale ; in B. Muscorum they are black or nearly so. I formerly 
supposed, relying on the description in the ‘ Entomologia Systematica, 
that the B. senilis was a faded specimen of the worker of this species, — 
but Dr. Nylander informed me that B. senilis is a pale worker of B.— 
Muscorum ; I therefore retain the name, having twice described it as 
B. senilis. 

I have stated in my preliminary remarks that this species seldom or 
never varies; J may here add that in a series of Danish specimens I~ 
observed no variation or even the slightest difference to British 
examples. 


3. B. Smithianus, White, Proc. Linn. Soc. 1851. Smith, Mon. Dea 
Great Brit. 215, 3. 


Through the kindness of M. Drewsen I have had an opportunity of © 
examining specimens of the B. arcticus of Dahlbom, and I find it a 

distinct species from B. Smithianus. I may also add that I can detect 
no difference between it and the B. Agrorum of Europe.. This species 


Insects. 7077 


was discovered by my fellow assistant at the British Museum, Mr. 
Adam White, in Shetland, in 1851. 


4, B. fragrans, Illig. Mag. v. 146, 10. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 46. 
St. Farg. Hym.i. 464. Drews. & Schiddte, Kriy. Tidsskr. 
xi. 171. Smith, Bees Great Brit. 216.  Nyl. Ap. Bor. 229, 
$> 2, %- 
Apis fragrans, Kirby, i1. 329, 83, 3. 
There is not the slightest difference between British and Danish 
specimens of this species. It does not appear to vary in colouring. 


5. B. Sylvarum, Jllig. Mag. v. 163, 9. Fabr. Syst. Piez. 348. Dahilb. 
Bomb. Scand. 44. St. Farg. i. 463. Drews. & Schiidte, 109. 
Smith, Mon. Bees Great Brit. 217. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 236. 

Apis Sylvarum, Zinn. Faun. Suec. 425, 1713. 


The colouring of this species appears to undergo no change in the 
different localities where it is found ; it occurs in France, Germany, 
Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lapland. 


6. B. lapponicus, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 345. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 41. 
Zett. Ins. Lapp. 474. St. Farg. Hym.i. 459. Smith, Mon. 
Bees Great Brit. 218. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 235. 

B. Regelationis, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 327 (nec Panz). 


Examples of this species from Lapland, which I have received from 
Dr. Nylander, are much more highly coloured than British specimens, 
The abdomen is of an intense fulvous-red, the apex of the abdomen, 
as well as the scutellum and collar, being bright yellow. Mr. New- 
man first discovered this species in Wales, on the Black Mountain, 
Llantony Abbey, Brecknockshire. It has since been taken plentifully 
in Perthshire, on the Grampians. 


7. B. Derhamellus, Zilig. Mag. v. 169, 29, 9, ¢. Dahlb. Bomb. 
Scand. 33, 4. Drews. & Schiddte, Kréy. Tidsskr. ii. 115, 9. 
Smith, Mon. Bees Great Brit. 219,7, ¢,9. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 
238, 26. 

Apis Derhamellus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 11. 363, 105, ¢. 

Apis Raiellus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 367, 107, 9. 

The males of this species are subject to great variation in the 
colouring of the pubescence ; it is sometimes black, with the apex of 
the abdomen red; or black, with somewhat obscure gray pubescence 
on the thorax in front and behind, as well as at the base of the abdo- 


7078 Insects. 


men, the apex being red. In some examples little .emains of the 
black pubescence except an obscure band between the wings, the 
abdomen being pale fulvous at the base, and gradually becoming 
brighter in colour to the red apex ; many intermediate shades occur. 


8. B. Pratorum, Jllig. Mag. v. 168, 27, 3. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 
36, 9. Drews. & Schiddte, Kréy. Tidsskr. 1. 111, 7, 9, 3,8. 
Smith, Mon. Bees Great Brit. 220, 8. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 237, 23. 

Apis Pratorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. 1711. 3. Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 
ii. 356, 99. 

Apis subinterrupta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 11. 356, 99, ¢. 

Apis Burrellana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 358, 101, 3. 

Bombus subinterruptus, Jllig. Mag. v. 167, 20,¢. Dahlb. Bomb. 
Scand. 43, 22. St. Farg. Hym.i.461,5. Drews. & Schiddte, 
Kréy. Tidsskr. ii. 111, 7. 

Bombus Burrellanus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand, 43, 22. 

Bombus Ephippium, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 37, 10, 9. Zett. Ins. 
Lapp. 437, 6. 

Bombus lullianus, Nyl. Ap. Bor. 236, 21, ¢. 

The typical specimen of the Apis Pratorum of Linneus is in the 
Linnean Cabinet: the nests of the species being not at all difficult to 
obtain renders the propriety of uniting the sexes, which have at 
different times been described as distinct species, a matter of certainty. 
The Apathus Barbutellus is parasitic on this species; Mr. Walcott 
and Mr. Grant have both reared that parasite from its nest. The 
B. Ephippium of Dahlbom is a variety of the female in which the 
yellow colouring on the scutellum and abdomen is obsolete. 


9. B. Cullumanus, Smith, Zool. 11.548, 11, ¢ ; Mon. Bees Great Brit. 
227 (var. B. soroensis, ¢). 
Apis Cullumanus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 11. 359, 102, ¢. 
Apis Donovanella, Kirby. Mon. Ap. Angl. 11. 357, 100, t. 18, f. 6, ¢. 
Bombus Donovanella, Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii. 255, t. 17, f. 1, 9. 
Although both the male and female of this species closely resemble 
those of B. Pratorum, I know the male to be certainly distinct; a 
comparison of the organs of generation decides this beyond a doubt. 
I do not feel equally certain that the A. Donovanella is the true female, 
but I possess examples of that bee, taken at the same time and place 
with the male. I am also borne out in this, to some extent, by 
examples sent to me for examination by Mr. Walcott; of three sent- 
for this purpose, one was taken by Mr. Dale some years ago, a second 


Insects. 7079 


taken in the New Forest by Mr. Lighton, and a third captured near 
Bristol ; my own specimens are from Southend. I have previously, 
as well as Dr. Nylander and others, considered the sexes as varieties 
of B. Pratorum; the male I now know is not, and I have little doubt 
respecting the distinctness of the female. When Schiddte was in this 
country he pointed out in my collection the B. Cullumanus as a variety 
of the male of B. soroensis, and as such I have several times received 
it from Denmark: a comparison of the organs of generation shows this 
to be quite erroneous. I do not know the workers of this species, but 
as the insect is found on the Downs at Brighton and Lewes, and also 
at Bristol I hope ere long its nests will be found, and the correctness 
of my present conclusions proved. The female, on placing several at 
the side of that of B. Pratorum, is seen to be, as Kirby observes, 
shorter and wider; the black band on the abdomen is also narrower, 
the yellow pubescence covers the two basal segments ; in fact it has a 
kind of specific identity of colouring with B. Cullumanus. In M. 
Drewsen’s collection, the male stands as a distinct species, the female 
and worker not being known; it has, however, no name attached. 


10. B. nivalis, Apis alpina, Fabr. (Otho), Faun. Gren. 199, 155 (nec 
Linn). 

Bombus nivalis, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 40,16, ?. Zett. Ins. Lapp. 
474, 7. Nyl. Ap. Bor. Revis. 262, 6. Smith, Mon. Bees 
Great Brit. 222, 9. 

Bombus balteatus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 36, 8. 

Bombus tricolor, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand, 40,17. Zett. Ins. Lapp. 
A7A, 9. 

Professor Bohemann told me that the female of this species varies in 
having the apex of the abdomen sometimes fulvous and at other times 
yellow. All the specimens which I have seen came from Shetland, 
and have the anus fulvous: I have not seen any specimens from other 
localities. | 


11. B. Skrimshiranus, Jilig. Mag. v. 166,15. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 
39,13. Drews. & Schiddte, Kréy Tidsskr. ii. 118, 12. Smith, 
Zool. ii. 547 ; Mon. Bees Great Brit. 222,10. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 
232, 12. | 

Apis Skrimshirana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 342, 92, 9. 

Apis Jonella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 338, 90, g ? 

Bombus Lucorum, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 42, 20, ¢. 

This species is widely distributed, being found in Great Britain, 


7080 Insects. 


Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lapland; at Loch Rannoch it is not 
uncommon. It does not appear to vary much in colouring. It is 
rare in the vicinity of the metropolis; I once captured a female on 
the high ground beyond Coombe Wood, Surrey. 


12. B. soroensis, I/lig. Mag. v. 167, 22. Fabr. Syst. Piez. 345, 10, 
2. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 43, 22. Drews. § Schiddte, Kroy. 
Tidsskr. ii. 112, 8, t. 2, f.e a, f. 9. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 239, 28. 

Apis soroensis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 11. 318,12. Panz. Faun. Germ. 7, 
11, 9. 

Apis neutra, Panz. Faun. Germ. 83, 18; Krit. Revis. ii. 259, ¥. 

Bombus neutra, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 347,24. St. Farg. Hym. i. 469, 
15. 

Bremus Sylvarum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 85, 19 (nec Linn., Kirby). 

Bombus collinus, Smith, Zool. ii. 548, 17, 4; Mon. Bees Great Brit. 
223, 11. 


I believe the above synonymy to be the most correct which has 
been given. I have proved to my perfect satisfaction that neither 
B. Cullumanus or B. Burrellanus are varieties of the male of this 
species ; a comparison of the generative organs decides that point. I 
gave B. Cullumanus as a variety in my ‘ Monograph’ on the authority | 
of Schiddte and Nylander. Since the publication of my work I have had 
an opportunity of examining nearly a hundred examples of the male, 
from the collection of the late Mr. Heysham. These vary considerably 
in colouring; in some the apex of the abdomen is rosy red, in others 
it is white, separated from the black band by a narrow line of fulvous ; 
in rare instances the abdomen is nearly entirely black, having at the 
tip only a few cinereous hairs. M. Drewsen informs me that he has 
them with that part quite black. It is strange that although Mr. Hey- 
sham captured the males in such abundance his collection did not 
contain a single female. I possess numerous examples of all the sexes, 
from Denmark, which agree exactly with British examples. This 
bee constructs its nest underground. I possess a single example of 
the female, which I believe was taken in Yorkshire ; Mr. Walcott has 
the same sex from the Brighton and Bristol Downs. In the collection 
of M. Drewsen is a beautiful series of the varieties of all the sexes; 
the female is sometimes black, with the apex of the abdomen rosy red ; 
the males and workers run also into this extreme variety. This variety 
of the female would of course resemble B. Derhamellus, but there is 
less red at the tip of the abdomen and it is of a paler tint, and the 
corbicula on the posterior tibiz is black. 


Insects. 7081 


18. B. terrestris, Smith, Zool. ii. 547,10; Mon. Bees Great Brit. 
224,12. Nyl. Revis. Ap. Bor. 262, 7 (nec var. B. Lucorum). 
Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxvili. 243, t. 14, 3, 9, 8- 

Apis terrestris, Zinn. Faun. Suec. 424, No. 1709, 9? Cab. Mus. Lin. 
Soc. Don. Brit. Ins. iii. 41, t. 88, f. 1. Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. 
(var. yande, ¢); Specimen in the Museum of the Entomological 
Society. 

I have very great doubt of this being the Linnean A. terrestris; in 
the first place, both Schiddte and Dahlbom, to whom I showed speci- 
mens of the insect, told me it was new to them, and not found, to their 
knowledge, in Sweden or Denmark. The specimen in the Linnean 
Cabinet I think must have had the label attached to it in mistake ; 
there is a female of B. Lucorum in the same drawer, and that, I believe, 
is the specimen to which it rightly belongs ; I have no doubt that the 
female of B. Lucorum is the true A. terrestris of Linneus. .Dr. Nylander 
thinks B. Lucorum a variety of B. terrestris: this I feel assured is not 
the case; I have taken many nests of both insects, and never found 
them intermingled; and I have taken B. Lucorum 7én coztu several 
times, but never with the male of “ terrestris.’ That the species do 
sometimes mix in community appears certain, as Mr. Trimmer com- 
municated the fact to Mr. Kirby, who united the females of Lucorum 
and terrestris, describing his A. Lucorum as a male of which he did 
not know the female: this has been the practice of most naturalists 
since the time of Linneus. 


14, B. Lucorum, Jilig. Mag. v. 166, 5. Fabr. Syst. Piez. 350, 37, 3. 
Smith, Zool. ii. 546, 6, 4, 29, ¥ ; Mon. Bees Great Brit. 225, 
13. Nyl. Revis. Ap. Bor. 262 (var. terrestris). 

Apis Lucorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. 427, No. 1716, g. Cab. Mus. Linn. 
Soc. Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 322, 35. Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 
336, 89. 

Apis terrestris, Linn. Faun. Suec. 424, No. 1709, 9. Christ. Hym. 
127, t. 7, f. 2, 9. 

Apis Cespitum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 31, 19, ¢. 

Bombus terrestris, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 64,1, 9. Fabr. Syst. 
Piez. 348, 4. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 34, 5, f.5. Zett. Ins. 
Lapp. 473, 4. St. Farg. Hym. i. 467, 13. Drews. & Schiédte, 
Kroy. Tidsskr. 11. 118, 12. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 233, 13. 

Bombus sporadicus, Nyl. Ap. Bor. 232, 15. 

This species is widely distributed, being found in Denmark, Sweden, 

Finland, Lapland and Siberia; I have also seen a form of it from 

XVIII. 7 le 


7082 Insects. 


Greece and Sicily, which has the corbicula pale fulvous. Although 
the female does not appear to be subject to vary, the male does so 
very considerably ; from the normal colouring of the species — black, 
with a yellow band on the collar and base of the abdomen, with its tip 
white — it varies to a form nearly entirely yellow, with a faint dark 
band between the wings, and one or two on the abdomen. 


15. B. lapidarius, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 64,2, 9. Illig. Mag. v. 
169, 30. Fabr. Syst. Piez. 347, 25. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 
30,1. Drews. & Schiédte, Kriy. Tidsskr. ii, 116,11. Westw. 
Nat. Libr. xxxviii, 252, t. 16, f. 1, ¢, 2, 9. Smith, Mon. Bees. 
Great Brit. 228, 15, , 9,3. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 238, 25. 

Apis lapidarius, Linn. Faun. Suec. 424, No. 1712. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 
ii. 329, 25. Don. Engl. Ins. iii. 97, t. 108, f. 1, 9, t. 58, f. 2, 3- 
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 363, 106. 

Bremus Truncorum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 85, 21, 3. 

Bombus Lefebvrei, St. Farg. Hym.i. 461, 4, 2 (var). 


This species is found throughout Europe; it is not subject to vary. 
A rare variety having a yellow collar does sometimes occur; this is 
the B. Lefebvrei of St. Fargeau. I have only seen a single example 
captured in this country ; it was taken at Sandwich, in Kent, and was 
in the collection of the late Mr. Wing. 


16. B. Hortorum, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv, 65,5.  TIllig. Mag. v. 
166,14. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 38,12. St. Farg. Hym.i. 466, 
12. Drews. & Schiddte, Kréy. Tidsskr. ii. 120,16. Smith, 
Mon. Bees Great Brit. 230, 16. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 231, 11. 

Apis Hortorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. 424, No. 1710. Kirby, Mon. Ap. 
Angl. ii. 339, 91. 

Bombus autumnalis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 352, 47, ¢. 


I have never met with any varieties of this species. In general 
coloration it corresponds with the B. ruderatus of Fabricius, but it is 
a smaller insect. Fabricius gives as the habitats of B. ruderatus Den- 
mark and Madeira; I have obtained the sexes of this insect from both 
localities, and, by a comparison of the male organs, have satisfied 
myself of its being distinct from B. Hortorum. In my opinion 
B. ruderatus is only a highly-coloured form of B. subterraneus. 
M. Drewsen has sent to me varieties, as he considers, of this species, 
but I do not agree with him in that opinion; I believe them to be 
females and workers of B. Latreillellus: these are destitute of yellow 


Insects. 7083 


colouring, with the tip of the abdomen white ; in some, the scutellum 
has a faint tinge of yellow. 


17. B. Latreillellus, Zllig. Mag. v. 164,11, ¢. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 
39,14. Drews. d Schiddte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 119,14. Smith, 
Mon. Bees Great Brit. 231, 17. Nyl. Ap. Bor. 234, 18; Revis. 
Ap. Bor. 261. 

Apis Latreillellus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 330, 84, ¢. 

Apis Tunstallana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 346, 94, ¢. 

Bombus Tunstallanus, Jllig. Mag. v. 166,16. Drews. & Schiddte, 
Kréy. Tidsskr. i. 119, 14, 9. Nyl. Revis. Ap. Bor. 261, 4. 


The synonymy of this species is, I think, undoubtedly correct. In 
addition to the discovery of several nests, whence I obtained the sexes, 
I captured three pairs zm coitu. ‘The species is extremely abundant 
at Southend and at Walmer, in Kent. I have received the species from 
Denmark as a variety of B. Hortorum, that is, female and worker, the 
male being correctly named B. Latreillellus. 


18. B. subterraneus, Illig. Mag. v. 169, 32. Fabr. Syst. Piez. 350, 
39, 9. Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 38,11. Drews. & Schitdte, Kriy. 
Tidsskr. ii. 116, 11. Smith, Mon. Bees Great Brit. 232, 18. 
Nyl. Ap. Bor. 239, 27. 

Apis subterranea, Linn. Faun. Suec. 425, No. 1718, and type in Cad. 
Linn, Soc. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 322, 37. 

Apis Harrisellus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 373, 110, t. 18, f. 7, ¢, 
8, 3. 

Bombus Harrisellus, Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii. 256, t. 18, f. 1, 9. 
Smith, Zool. ii. 550, 16. 

Bombus flavonigrescens, Smith, Zool. iv. 1556. 

Apis ruderata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 317, 10, 9. 

- Bombus ruderatus, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 344, 6. 

This species is extremely variable in colouring; the most highly 
coloured, B. ruderatus, has the thorax in front, the scutellum and the 
base of the abdomen yellow ; every shade of difference occurs between 
this form and one entirely black. The variety with the apex of the 
abdomen whitish and otherwise end entirely black I formerly con- 
sidered the B. soroensis of Fabricius. It will probably be questioned 
whether I am justified in considering the B. Harrisellus a variety ; 
indeed Nylander gives it with doubt in the revision of his Apis bore- 
alis; one reason for my doing so is based upon the fact of my being 
unable to distinguish any difference in the form of the generative organs 


7084 Insects. 


of the black and highly coloured males; and in the second place, 
having in my possession a male and female, taken in coitu, and pre- 
sented to me by Mr. Baly. The latter fact it may be said is not con- 
clusive evidence, since I myself on one occasion captured the male of 
B. lapidarius in connexion with the female of B. terrestris: this 1s, 
however, the only instance which I have observed during twenty- 
five years of assiduous collecting, therefore such occurrences must 
be rare. Should the discovery of a colony, in which all the individuals 
are black, be made, a doubt of the propriety of uniting these varieties 
might be entertained; but even then, having in every instance, in 
undoubtedly distinct species, found a most distinct difference in the 
form of the male organs, I should be more inclined to consider the 
black colony, as nothing more than an entire brood of the extreme 
variety of the species. In M. Drewsen’s collection the B. Harrisellus 
is sent as a variety of B, subterraneus ; all the sexes stand there without 
a doubt attached to them. 
FREDERICK SMITH. 


Rough Noies on Canadian Hymenoptera. 
By W. S. M. D’Ursan, Esq. 


I must plead want of leisure for having bestowed only slight attention 
on the Hymenoptera during the three years of my residence in Canada, 
but Mr. Frederick Smith, of the British Museum, having obligingly 
determined some of the few species I collected, I have assembled 
together the notes relating to them, which I have found dispersed 
through my journals of observations on Natural History, and venture 
to offer them to the ‘ Zoologist’ as a small contribution to Canadian 
Entomology, which has, unfortunately, been much neglected. Besides 
those enumerated below, I brought home a few new and undescribed 
species, which I have presented to the British Museum. 


Family TENTHREDINIDA. 


Cimbex femorata, Linn. (variabilis, Klug). I took both sexes of 
of this fine species north of the Ottawa, in the townships of Montcalm 
and Arundel, in July, 1858, and I have received specimens from the 
Falls of Niagara. At the end of August, 1858, in a small lake near 
Hamilton’s Farm, about fifty miles up the River Rouge, a tributary 
of the Ottawa, into which it discharges itself about nine miles above 


Insects. 1085 


the town of Grenville, I observed that the water was full of a peculiar, 
soft, green substance, in star-shaped pellets, which I found to be the 
excrement of saw-fly larva, feeding in great numbers onthe leaves of 
the alder bushes and yellow birch trees overhanging the lake. They 
were gray on the back, yellow undeyneath, and sprinkled over with 
black spots ; legs and claws black: one specimen larger than the rest 
was pale green; head white, with two black spots upon it, a row of 
black spots down each side, and numerous transverse rows of roughish 
white spots. As this specimen spun up in a few days it was probably 
the same as the others, but in a more advanced stage. I did not 
succeed in rearing it, as it shrivelled up in its cocoon, from the dryness 
of the house, during the following winter. From its size and colour it 
may have been the larva of this Cimbex. 

C. decim-maculata, Leach. One specimen received from L’Oriqual 
on the Ottawa. Mr. Gosse reared it from larve found feeding on 
willows in August, in the Eastern townships. 

Nematus . In 18571 bred a small species of Nematus from a 
woody gall which is extremely abundant and easily seen in autumn, 
after the leaves have fallen, on the twigs of a species of willow growing 
plentifully in swamps, near Montreal. The dead shoot at the tip of 
the gall forms a long, curved tube, through which the perfect insect 
effects its escape in May, each gall producing a single specimen only. 
I have also reared from these galls numbers of a minute Chalcidite 
(Lampronotus), which I imagine to be a parasite of the Nematus. A 
Dipterous fly inhabits a very similar gall on the same willow 
bushes. 

Sirex flavicornis, Fabr. I have had specimens of this Sirex brought 
to me which had been found in the cellar of a store in Montreal, having 
most probably issued from the fire-wood kept there. I also took it in 
the woods of the counties of Argenteuil and Ottawa, in July and August, 
1858. 

S. albicornis, Fabr. Common at Sorel and Montreal, and very 
numerous in the woods to the north of the Ottawa, in the county of 
Argenteuil, from the beginning of July to September. It occurs also 
on the Southern shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The females 
vary greatly in size, and the males of this, as well as of the other 
Sireces, are very rarely seen. 

S. dimidiatus, West. One specimen taken about fifty miles up the 
River Rouge, August 16, 1858. 

S. cyaneus, Fabr. Two specimens were taken between the sheets 
of a bed, in a house near Montreal, in August. They were supposed 


7086 — Insects. 


to have come out of the wood-work of the bedstead, but no holes could 
be discovered in it. 

Tremex Columba, Linn. Every one who has ever visited the neigh- 
bonrhood of the beautiful city of Montreal in the summer season must 
have noticed the numerous dead tees, stretching their leafless branches 
to the sky, and indeed in many spots a very large proportion of the 
trees, especially the beautiful hickories (Carya tomentosa? Nutt.), 
have fallen victims to the ravages of the Tremex, aided by the larve 
of asmall coleopteron (a species of Scolytus) undermining the bark 
of those trees which have been rendered sickly by the borings of that 
handsome but destructive insect. Trees weakened by the Tremex 
larve, which bore perpendicularly upwards in the very heart of the 
wood, are very apt to snap off in high winds, long before they are 
killed outright. In such cases I have found that the fracture follows 
the course of one of their long borings, and I have taken the fully- 
formed insect out of trees with otherwise a perfectly sound and healthy 
appearance. The perfect insects make their exit from the trees in 
August and September, and although so abundant are but seldom 
seen on the wing. I did not meet with it in the woods to the north 
of the Ottawa, where the other Sireces were so numerous. It occurs 
at Sorel, on the St. Lawrence, forty-five miles below Montreal, and 
Mr. Gosse mentions it as having observed it in the Eastern townships. 


Family Evanrap#&, Leach. 


Pelecinus Polycerator, Fabry. (Needle Ichneumon). I have taken 
this remarkable insect at Sorel and Montreal, north of the Ottawa, in 
the township of Grandison, and at the Falls of Niagara, in August and 
September. At Sorel it is very numerous, though Mr. Gosse, who 
gives a good figure of it in his ‘ Canadian Naturalist, and who speaks 
of it as occurring in the Eastern townships, observes that it does not 
appear to be common anywhere. The long hind legs, with their 
swollen tibiz hanging down, as it slowly sails through the air a few 
feet above the ground, give it a very curious appearance, and impress 
the observer with the idea that the insect is carrying a heavy weight 
attached to its legs. It inflicts a slight prick with the point of its 
anal segment when captured in the fingers. I much regret that I have 
never had an opportunity of studying the economy of this most in- 
teresting species. 

Family IcHNEUMONID&, Leach. 


Ichneumon Centrator, Say. Common about Montreal in July, and 
hybernating under bark of dead trees in autumn. 


Insects. 7087 


I. Brevicinctor. (Vide Dr. Emmon’s ‘ Agriculture of New York, 
Part Insects, 193). Montreal, July. 

Trogus exesorius, Serv. In September, 1850, I obtained seven 
larvee of the black swallow-tail butterfly (Papilio Asterias) feeding on 
parsley and other umbelliferous plants, in a garden at Montreal, which 
duly became pup ; but during the following winter, to my great annoy- 
ance, every one of them produced a specimen of this parasite. The 
breeding-cage which contained the pupe having been kept in a warm 
room, the ichneumons were evolved as early as January and February. 
In its natural state I have taken this Trogus flying in September, but 
there are probably two broods of it in the season, as there are of its 
victim, Papilio Asterias, the larva of which, according to Professor 
Kirtland, is known in Ohio as the “ fennel worm,” and is ocasionally 
destructive to the crops of fennel and dill in that state. 

T. Obsidianator, Fabr. This large and handsome species is common 
about Montreal, in July. The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is much 
frequented by this and other ichneumons, and in England I have 
observed many species to be equally partial to the Jerusalem arti- 
choke (HZ. twberosus). 

Cryptus ? (Figured, but not named, in Dr. Emmon’s 
“Agriculture of New York,’ Part Insects, pl. 27, f. 11). Common in 
July and August on the heads of wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and 
golden rod (Solidago), plants which overrun the grass-fields about 
Montreal. 

Lampronota 2? (Figured, but not named, in Dr. Emmon’s 
‘Agriculture of New York,’ Part Insects, pl. 7, f. 12). Very abundant 
with the last species about Montreal, and I have observed it north of 
the Ottawa. 

Pimpla 


? I have bred a species very like our English 
P. Instigator from cocoons of the “ muff-moth ” (Lophocampa Carye, 
Harris; Halesidota fulvoflava, Walker). It makes its appearance in 
May and June. 

Pimpla —? A species allied to the English P. turionella, 
which is very abundant in July, I have bred from cocoons of the 
“American lackey-moth” (Clistocampa americana, Harris), so 
destructive to the foliage of the trees about Montreal, and there 
popularly termed “ Montreal Blight.” 

Rhyssa Lunator, Fabr. This magnificent ichneumon is numerous 
on Montreal Mountain in August and the beginning of September. 
The females are easily captured when ovipositing in some stump or 
dead tree, for they work their ovipositors so deeply into the wood that 


7088 Insects. 


they are unable to withdraw them again quickly, frequently breaking 
them off in their efforts to escape; or when pulled violently away by 
a bird or entomologist, their long, hair-like instruments may often 
be seen sticking out of the stumps and trees they frequent. The stump 
from which I took the first specimen I ever saw was so hard and 
undecayed that I failed in making a hole in it with a strong knife deep 
enough to ascertain what the Rhyssa is parasitical on, nor did I ever 
succeed, though I made many attempts, in discovering what insect it 
infests.* Many people in Canada, ignorant of Entomology, suppose 
that it is this ichneumon which kills the trees by “ stinging” them, as 
they term it, and accordingly destroy it when they have an opportunity ; 
and small holes in the bark of trees, made by some beetle allied to 
Scolytus, have been pointed out to me as having been made by the 
“sting” of this insect and that of Tremex Columba. Between the 
anal segments of the female is a wide space filled by a loose, delicate, 
pea-green membrane, inside which her ovipositor, measuring in some 
specimens more than four inches in length, is partially coiled up, when 
she is boring into a-tree, in order to shorten it and therefore increase 
its strength and stiffness. When the ovipositor is thus coiled up it 
swells out the membrane to the size of a kidney bean, which it much 
resembles in shape and colour, and the insect has then the most extra- 
ordinary appearance that can be imagined; and the first time I 
observed one engaged in ovipositing, I was at a loss to decide what 
this curious membranous bag could be. The females vary much in 
size, and the males are but rarely seen. 


Family Formicip#, Leach. 


Formica herculanea, Linn. (F. lignivora, Lair). Swarms about 
Montreal, and in the woods north of the Ottawa, &c., tunneling through 
dead trees in every direction, gradually reducing the interior to a mass 
of dust. Wood in which it has made its galleries has exactly the 
appearance of timber which has been attacked by Teredo navalis. In 
the interior of a hollow but still living balsam fir (Abies balsamea) 
which had been attacked by this ant, and snapped across by the wind, 
I found the hard knots lying loosely amongst the dust and dédris, 
having been gnawed all round to remove the soft wood, just as a dog 
would gnaw the flesh off a bone. “ Misfortune,” it is said, “makes 
one acquainted with strange bedfellows,” and certainly Formica hercu- 
lanea was not one of the least disagreeable with which I was compelled 


* T-have little doubt of the Rhyssa being parasitic on the larva of Tremex Columba; 
Rbyssa persuasoria is parasitic on Sirex juvencus.—Frederich Smith. 


Insects. 7089 


to share my blanket during the five months I camped out in the back- 
woods, when attached to an exploring party of the Provincial Geological 
Survey, and I was often awakened by a sharp pinch from the formidable 
jaws of one of these large ants, which had made the unpardonable 
mistake of supposing my leg to be a log of wood, and had accordingly 
commenced mining operations in it, and, like other creatures higher in 
the scale of Nature when in error, being extremely tenacious in 
adhering to its own opinion (and my leg) preferred to be torn to pieces 
rather than relinquish its hold. 

F. nigra, Linn. Nests common under stones about Montreal. 
First active about the middle of April. 

F. fusca, Linn. Abundant in rotten stumps on Montreal Mountain. 


Family PoMPILIDz. 


Pompilus atramentarius, Dahlb. One specimen taken on blossoms 
of golden-rod, at the base of Belewil Mountain, August 30, 1857. 

P. niger, Linn. Common, Montreal, July and August. 

P. ? A very active species, black with a red band across 
the base of the abdomen, is numerous about Montreal, hanging over 
the heads of umbelliferous plants and Solidago, in July and August. 
I have observed it burrowing in dry banks near Lachine. It inflicts 
an acutely painful wound with its sting when taken in the fingers. 


Family SPHEGIDA. 


Ammophila luctuosa, Smith. Numerous on the sandy common at 
Sorel, in May. 

A. urnaria, Kiiig. Abundant at Sorel, where I used to find great 
numbers clasping the stalks of the garden Asparagus with their jaws, 
and at Montreal I have taken specimens hanging to the stems of the 
‘wild parsnip in a similar manner. I also met with this species when 
ascending the River Rouge. 

Pelopeus ceruleus, Linn. (Dirt Dauber). This insect swarms, from 
the end of June to September, in the verandahs and wooden passages 
of houses, in the neighbourhood of Montreal, in the corners of which 
it constructs its clay nests. Ina cell of one of these nests which I 
opened at the end of July, 1856, I found eleven spiders of different 
species, and a larva which appeared to have been but recently hatched. 
‘In about a week this larva had eaten up all the spiders and grown 
to many times its original size. It fell out of the broken cell, and tried 
to spin a cocoon against the sides of a winesglass which I had placed 

XVIII. 2a 


7090 Insects. 


over it, but being very restless, after spinning for several days, became 
exhausted and died. The other cells of the same nest I kept through 
the following winter, and they produced the perfect insect in August, 
1857. After spinning its semi-transparent cocoon the larva remains 
unaltered, excepting in shrinking up a good deal, till shortly before it 
changes to the perfect state. I have found great numbers of these 
nests under stones by the water-side, at Lachine, in July. 

P. flavipes, Fabr. Not so abundant as P. ceruleus, but not un- 
common at Sorel and Montreal. Mr. Gosse has published some very 
interesting observations on this species in the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1844. 


Family CRABRONID&. 


Crabro singularis, Smith (frigidus, 9, Smith). Taken up the River 
Rouge. 

C. interruptus, St. Farg. (confluentibus, Say). St. Hilaire on the 
Richelieu, in August. 

C. vagus, Fabr. (trifasciatus, Say). Common at Montreal, in July 
and August. 

Cerceris deserta, Smith. Montreal, July. . 


Family VESPID. 


Vespa vulgaris, Linn. Mr. Smith informs me that he cannot detect 
any difference between Canadian and English specimens of this wasp. 
It is abundant about Montreal, making its nests in holes in the ground, 
as it does in England. I fancied when I was stung by one at Montreal 
that the pain from the wound at the instant it was inflicted was more 
acute and burning than that from the sting of an English wasp, but it 
did not cause so much swelling, nor was it so lasting in its effects. 

V. maculata, Linn. This wasp is abundant about Sorel, Montreal, 
and north of the Ottawa. The round nests, sometimes of very con- 
siderable size, are composed of a kind of paper made from the fibres 
of partially decayed wood, and are very numerous in swampy situations, 
attached to the branches amongst thickets of small poplar and white 
birch trees. On boarded fences, from the weather-beaten surfaces of ~ 
which the wasps derive much of their material, small globular nests 
with a long neck, resembling an inverted decanter or water-bottle, are 
sometimes seen, and still smaller ones, quite round and of a very 
fragile texture, containing only half-a-dozen cells, are common under 
the roofs of verandahs and in similar situations. I do not know whether 
these various descriptions of nests are all formed by the same species. 


Insects. 7091 


There is a large black dipterous fly, a species of Milesia, banded with 
pale yellow, so closely resembling Vespa maculata in size, colour and 
markings that I have several times been misled by it. The females of 
this wasp remain in a semi-torpid condition under the bark of dead 
stumps, &c., till so late as the middle of May. It is extremely fond 
of “‘ honey-dew,” and may be frequently seen about plants infested by 
Aphides, scaring away their attendant ants by its large size. 

Polistes pallipes, St. Farg. I found this insect very numerous at 
St. Hilaire, on the flowers of the beautiful golden-rods, in August, 1857, 
but I have never met with it elsewhere, and I know nothing respecting 
its habits. 


Family ANDRENID. 


Colletes inequalis, Smith. I observed great numbers of the males 
of this species flying backwards and forwards over a damp spot by 
the side of a road near Montreal, on the 26th of July, 1857. 

Sphecodes ephippia, Linn. Not very common. Montreal, July. 

Agapostemon tricolor, St. Farg. Common about Montreal in 
August. 

Auxochlora lucidula, Smith. On the 24th of August, 1856, I found 
a nest of this beautiful little bee under the bark of a decayed stump 
on Montreal mountain. There were thirteen cells arranged perpen- 
dicularly in a single row, and composed of particles of decayed wood, 
very slightly agglutinated together: the four uppermost cells contained 
larve ; in the next eight were pup in different stages of development, 
the last having partially acquired its brilliant green colour; and in 
the thirteenth and lowest a bee fully formed and active, as I found to 
my cost, for it stung me acutely, and effected its escape from my 
fingers. I only succeeded in rearing two of the pupz, which were 
full-formed on the 4th of September following, the rest and all the 
larve having died and dried up. 

A, viridula, Smith. I took a specimen of this species on the flowers 
of the golden-rod (Solidago altissima ? Linn.) on Belzil Mountain, on 
the 30th of August, 1857. 

Halictus parallelus, Say. Common in August about Montreal and 
St. Hilaire. 

Andrena nubecula, Smith. Montreal, August. 

A. varians, Rossi. On willow catkins at the beginning of May, 
near Montreal. 


Family CucuLina. 


Nomada. Several unnamed species are numerous about Montreal 


7092 Insects. 


at the beginning of May, in the blossoms of the yellow dog-tooth 
violet or adder’s tongue (Erythronium Americanum) and on the cat- 
kins of willows. Ihave presented specimens of them to the British 
Museum. 

Celioxys. An unnamed species is common at Montreal and St. 
Hilaire in August. It appears to me to come near C. vectis, Curtzs. 

Stelis ? A species bred from wild rose twigs bored by 
Osmia. 


Family DasyGastTr&@. 


Osmia simillima, Smith. Taken on the River Rouge, in the town- 
ship of Arundel, county of Argenteuil. It much resembles O. Latreillii, 
Spin. 

O. ? A small species is common at Montreal in July, and 
I obtained it from bored wild-rose twigs, which I collected round 
Montreal in the winter of 1856—7. 

Megachile acuta, Smith. Very numerous at Montreal, and I took 
it on the river Rouge, in the township of Arundel. In July nearly 
every leaf of the rose-bushes in gardens has a circular piece or two 
cut out from it, but I never saw this bee actually operating on one, 
though I have captured a female when in the act of cutting a piece 
out of the leaf of a seedling maple. I once found some old nests of a 
species of Megachile ? composed of the petals of buttercups (Ranun- 
culus) in the crevices of stones in a loose wall. As M. acuta is very 
like M. Willoughbiella, it is not improbably the species referred to 
under the latter name by Mr. Gosse, in his ‘ Canadian Naturalist.’ 

M. melanophea, Smith. Occurs abundantly about Montreal at the 
same time as the last species. 

Ceratina dupla, Say. Abundant in July on blossoms of Solidago 
about Montreal. In February, 1857, I collected numerous shoots of 
a bramble which had been bored by these bees, and I found six or 
seven specimens inside them, lying head downwards in a torpid state, 
having apparently entered them to hybernate, and so late as the 19th 
of May following I found numerous specimens in bramble-shoots, but 
they were then active when disturbed. In some, below the perfect 
insects, were brownish larve and cocoons. Many of the shoots, several 
feet in length, were bored down to the very root. In one 1 found a 
bright green larva, like that of a sawfly, which appeared to have been 
feeding on the pith, and I also met with the nests of a minute Crabro? 
(Rhopalum, Kirby) filled with Aphides. 


Entomological Society. 7093 


Family ScoPULIPEDES. 


Melissodes rufo-dentatus, Smith. Montreal, August. 

M. denticulata, Smith. A female taken at Montreal in August, 1856, 
and a male asleep in a head of Hieracium canadense, in the township 
of De la Wherry, county of Argenteuil, at the end of July, 1858. 

Bombus terricola, Kirby. Appears about the middle of May, and 
is not very numerous. 

B. fervidus, Fabr. This and the next species are the most abundant 
Bombi about Montreal. The females appear about the middle of 
May, and the males are very numerous in August. I took this species 
up the river Rouge. 

B. ornatus, Smith (ternarius, Say ?). Very abundant, with the last 
species, at Montreal and St. Hilaire. : 

B. vagans, Smith. Montreal, August; rare. 

B. elatus, Fabr. With the last, and at St. Hilaire. 

Apis mellifica, Linn. Hive-bees are frequently kept in Lower 
Canada, and the fields, covered with thistles and buckwheat, afford 
them an inexhaustible supply of honey. 


W.S. M. D’URBay. 
London, May 10, 1860. 


Proceedings of Societies. 
EnromotoetcaL Socrery. 
June 4, 1860.—J. W. Dovetas, Esq., President, in the chair. 


. Donations. 

The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors:—‘ On the Cultivation of Silk at Mussooree, Himalaya Mountains, with 
Notes on the Treatment of the Silkworm ;’ presented by the Author, Capt. Thomas 
_ Hutton, F.G.S., Superintendent of Government Silk Plantations. ‘On some New 
_ Longicornia from the Moluccas;’ ‘ On some New Anthribide ;’ by the Author, F. P. 
_ Pascoe, Esq. F.L.S., &c.. ‘The Journal of Entomology,’ No. 1; by the Proprietors. 
| * The Zoologist’ for June ; by the Editor. ‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society,’ No. 38; 
by the Society. ‘ Tijdschrift voor Entomologie,’ Vol. ii. Part 6, Vol. iii. Parts 1,2 and 3; 
_ by the Entomological Society of the Netherlands. ‘A Catalogue of the Lepidopterous 
Insects in the Museum of Natural History at the East-India House, by Thomas 
Horsfield, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., Keeper of the Museum, and Frederick Moore, 
Esq., Assistant, Vol. ii.; by the East India Company. ‘The Atheneum’ for May ; 
by the Editor. ‘The Journal of the Sogiety of Arts ;’ by the Editor. * The Ento- 
mologist’s Weekly Intelligencer, Nos. 188—191 ; by the Editor. 


| 


7094 Entomological Society. 


Exhibitions. 


Mr. Stevens exhibited a specimen of Criomorphus castaneus, found alive in the 
playground of a school at Blackheath. He observed that the species had been recorded 
as British, by the name of Callidium luridum, but he believed its claims to be considered 
a Dative were rather doubtful. 

Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited two specimens of Papilio Antenor, Drury, sent 
from Madagascar by Mr. Layard, and read the following note of their capture by that 
gentleman. “TI have sent two not very good specimens of Papilio Antenor of Drury, 
which I shot at Boyana Bay, Madagascar. They fly very high, and I could not obtain 
them in any other way. I have two more from the French missionaries, who said they 
did sometimes come down.” 

Mr. Bond exhibited two living examples of Acrocinus longimanus, and two speci- 
meus of Deilephila lineata, caught near Brighton on the 12th and 14th ult. He also 
exhibited two dead pupe of Sphinx Convolvuli, found last autumn in a potato-field 
near Canterbury ; and an enormous cocoon of Eriogaster lanestris, three larve having 
united in forming it. 

Mr. Stainton exhibited specimens of Deilephila lineata from Lewisham and 
Torquay. 

Mr. M’Lachlan exhibited specimens of a species of a species of Cecidomyia, which 
he had bred from small galls found on buds of the common broom. 

Mr. Janson exhibited Spherites glabratus, Rhinomacer attelaboides and other 
Coleoptera from Scotland. 

Mr. Stainton exhibited Lithocolletis Helianthemi, bred from larve mining in leaves 
of Helianthemum vulgare, received from Ratisbon; and a specimen of Aspidisca 
splenderiferella, an American species of Tineina, bred from Crategus tomentosa. 

Mr. Moore exhibited a living example of the Eria silk moth (Attacus Ricini) bred 
from a larva which fed on the castor-vil plant. 

Mr. Gorham exhibited the following Coleoptera :— 


Dinarda dentata. Taken by Mr. Crotch in nests of Formica fusca. 
Hapleglossa rufipennis. Taken in sandpits near Addington. 
Mycetoporus lucidus. Wimbledon Common. 

Eucephalus complicans. Charlton. 

Lathrobium punctatum. Hammersmith. 

Lemophleus duplicatus. Near Farnborough, Kent. 


Chryphagus micrographus. Isle of Wight. Of this species Mr. Lewis had taken 
a single example near Croydon. 


Mr. Tegetmeier exhibited some remarkable specimens, illustrating the production 
of fertile workers in a hive of the ordinary honey-bee (Apis mellifica).. They were 
produced by placing, in March, a comb containing eggs and larve in workers’ cells 
only in a hive which had been some time without a queen, and which consequently 
contained no brood whatever. There was no apparent attempt made by the bees to 
form a royal cell and to rear a new queen for the workers eggs, but after the latter 
were hatched the bees produced from them laid eggs. These were deposited in the 
drone cells only, sometimes as many as six being placed in one cell, of which only one 
was hatched, a drone in all cases being produced. It was noticed that these fertile 
workers were hatched and laid eggs before any drones had been observed in the adjacent 


Entomological Society. 7095 


hives. Huber supposed that such workers were produced by partaking of some of the 
food designed for the production of a queen, which had been deposited in the cells 
adjacent to the royal one. This supposition was disproved, as there was no royal cell 
in the single comb which the hive contained. 

Mr. 8S. Stevens communicated the following extract from a letter from Robert 
Clark, Esq., and exhibited a specimen of the fly alluded to therein :— 


“‘ These insects are pretty numerous in the windward division of the Gold Coast, 
in March, April, May, November and December, especially in the three former months, 
before the first rains set in, when the weather is generally close and oppressively hot. 
As soon as they are observed, either in or about the houses of the Europeans or natives, 
everything is done to get rid of them, for when they alight on the person they inflict a 
painfully stinging wound, rapidly followed by a wheal, which becomes the seat of an 
annoying itchiness. The proboscis, as you may have noticed, is strong and keen, and 
they readily push it through thick clothing and thin leather. Horses and other beasts 
of burden suffer severely from their attacks, and there are good grounds for believing 
that this is the cause why no animal of that description will live upon the windward 
part of the Gold Coast; indeed, my friend Mr. R. D. Ross was so persuaded of this 
being the case that he made a strong representation to the head of the Commissariat 
Department to that effect, suggesting, at the same time, that hammock instead of horse 
allowance should be granted to the officers of the G. C. A. Corps stationed in the wind- 
ward districts. 

“In 1858 I procured from the late Mr. Consul Campbell, of Lagos, four horses 
for the use of some of the officers stationed at Cape Coast Castle. They arrived in 
fair condition, were well stabled, carefully groomed and fed, nevertheless in six or 
eight weeks from the date of their landing they were all dead. This did not seem to 
me to arise from the grass, as it was in every respect quite equal to that on which 
horses feed and thrive admirably on the leeward division of the Gold Coast, at Sierra 
Leone and the Gambia. The precaution of partly drying it before it was given to the 
animals was not neglected, and their food was varied with ground nut-straw, which is 
considered capital fodder for horses both at Sierra Leone and the Gambia. The late 
Mr. Brodie Cruikshank even imported hay and oats from England, conceiving (I am 
of opinion incorrectly) that the mortality of beasts of burden depended upon some 
poisonous herb being mixed up with the grass on the part of the Gold Coast I refer 
to, but as might be anticipated the experiment in question proved a complete failure. 

“With regard to these insects I think I told you that a Mr. Glydden, purser of 
H.M. store ship ‘ Buffalo, to whom I showed them on the Coast, insisted that they 
are identical with the tzetze described by Dr. Livingstone, alleging that he had met 
with them in some of the regions of Southern Africa which he had visited.” 


Mr. Westwood remarked that the insect exhibited was closely allied to the common 
Tabanus bovinus of Europe, and certainly not the “ tzetze”” met with by Dr. Living- 
stone and others, as was asserted in the latter part of the letter just read. 


Dr. Wallace communicated the following :— 


Remarks on the Occurrence of Rarer British Sphingide. 


“ The fact that in many female Sphingide captured in Great Britain and Ireland, 
in the autumn months, no ova have been found, induces the question as to whether 
some species may or may not be continuously indigenous. Many think that the absence 


7096 Quadrupeds. 


of ova in the female is merely a question of time, as in the case of A. Atropos, the 
females of which, notoriously devoid of eggs in the forced autumn specimens, are found 
in June depositing ova, whence the brood is perpetuated. Others maintain that it is 
a question not of time only, but also of place; for taking S. Convolvuli, females of which 
are constantly taken in the autumn months, almost invariably without eggs (in 1846 
and 1859 the species occurred most freely : one individual took nearly fifty specimens 
in 1859, all the females of which were destitute of ova). In this case either a female 
is hatched in the autumn with eggs, hybernates and deposits ova in the spring, or 
emerges in the spring from the pupa, or else specimens fly over from abroad and 
deposit ova in this country. I would ask has ever S. Convolvuli been taken or observed 
in the spring or early summer in this country, and if so in what condition or of what 
sex? Are we to look for a development of females of D. Lineata without eggs, in the 
autumn months, if a hot summer intervenes? A series of observations carefully made as 
to time, place, condition, sex, and also as to the complete development of sexual organs 
of any or all of the rarer Sphingidz, would help to resolve the question. Without giving 
any opinion myself, I may add the truth can only thus be obtained :—from a series of 
observations, not from a single capture. Have any of the commoner Sphingidz, the 
Smerinthi or others, occurred in the autumn months, and if so were they fully developed ? 
Are any of the rarer Noctue to be louked upon in the same light? 

“ This question appears of more importance than the double-broodedness of some 
Notodontidzx, about which so much has been written, and I commend it to the attention 
of entomologists.” 

Mr. Smith read an extract from Park’s ‘ History of Hampstead,’ in which it was 
stated that in 1782 great numbers of “ vermin” appeared on the hedges and trees in 
that neighbourhood, and that men were employed to beat them off with poles and burn 
them. These persons experienced considerable irritation on the face and other exposed 
parts of the person, whilst those who incautiously inhaled the fumes produced by 
burning them were much indisposed in consequence. 

Mr. Stainton considered these “ vermin” were the larve of the brown-tail moth 
(Porthesia Chrysorrhea), which had in former years appeared in immense numbers in 
this country, and the hairs of which and many of its congeners were well known to 
produce much irritation of the human skin. 

Mr. Smith also read the following papers:—‘‘ Observations on Cynips lignicola 
and C. Radicis,” and “ Descriptions of new Species of Australian H ymenoptera and of 
a Species of Formica from New Zealand.” 

Mr. Baly read a paper intituled “ Description of some New Species of Sagra ; 
Remarks on that Genus; and the Characters of Cheiloxena, a New Genus belonging 
to the same Family.”—E. S. 


Eccentricities in the Habits of Foxes. By W. H. Sianey, Esq. 


As a zealous preserver of foxes in the hunt to which I belong, and 
having, in consequence, a good deal to do with gamekeepers ‘and 
rabbit-catchers within an extensive district, I have many opportunities 
of ascertaining how it happens that so many both of old and young 


Quadrupeds. 7097 


foxes come to an untimely end. Many are the litters of foxes which 
are starved to death by the old foxes being destroyed before the 
young ones can do for themselves; this is often occasioned quite un- 
intentionally and for want of a little forethought, and at other times 
done from spiteful and vindictive motives, and from a short-sighted 
view of what is mistakenly supposed to be of advantage to the de- 
stroyer. The great mischief arises from the rabbit-trappers’ method 
of setting their traps in a dangerous manner, which might easily be 
avoided ; but these men think that by setting them so as to catch the 
foxes it will be the means of preserving the rabbits, and secure to 
themselves a greater profit. In most places where there are many 
rabbits a set of men are employed to catch them, and, having been 
been brought up exclusively to this occupation, thoroughly under- 
stand how to do so effectually ; but instead of confining themselves to 
their legitimate occupation, they often foolishly try to kill the foxes, 
because they take from the traps and snares some few of the rabbits for 
which these men would otherwise obtain sixpence a couple ; and, if the 
farmers are allowed to have the rabbits for themselves, as is frequently 
the arrangement now made, they will obtain one shilling or one shilling 
and sixpence per couple more for their own advantage, and thus make 
on a farm, of say three hundred acres, from eight pounds to ten 
pounds a year, where rabbits are plentiful, besides well supplying 
their own household. It will be found an excellent plan to give the 
rabbits to the tenant, he paying the man for catching them, but the 
landlord reserving to himself and his agent the exclusive right to ap- 
point a proper and trustworthy person to catch the rabbits. The 
object of the landlord reserving to himself this right is that it prevents 
his game being destroyed, by not allowing the men to set their traps 
in a wrong manner, in open places or in meuses, which they ought 
never to do, but only down the rabbit-holes, leaving a few links of the 
chain attached to the trap above ground; this will effectually prevent 
any old fox being taken. Should the rabbit-catcher wilfully neglect 
these simple precautions, he will then lose his employment altogether, 
and become a marked man in the neighbourhood, as a fox and game 
destroyer whom no one will employ. As a further inducement to be 
honest it is well worth while to pay these men a few pounds, at Christ- 
mas or some other time, as a recompence for the injury the foxes 
occasionally do them; by this means they will soon find it is better 
for them to avoid foul play than secretly to adopt it. 

- I am doubtful whether the following anecdote of a male fox 
supplying the place of a female or vixen, which had been un- 

XVIII. 2k 


7098 Quadrupeds. 


fortunately destroyed, and taking upon himself the feeding of their 
young progeny, is of such rare occurrence as to be a fact worthy of 
insertion in the ‘ Zoologist ;’ but although T have heard of stories to a 
similar purport I was never before satisfied of the correctness of such 
Statements. I have frequently inquired of huntsmen, keepers, and 
other persons most likely to know, if such was really the case, and the 
answer has generally been, they “believed so,” but none seemed to 
know it from experience. The following fact, however, may be 
relied upon. 

A vixen laid up her litter of five cubs in a retired spot, under a pro- 
jecting rocky shelf, in a small dingle belonging to myself, but adjoining 
to which, unfortunately, there was one small field or paddock not 
mine, in which the tenant’s sons were accustomed to set traps for 
rabbits; through this field the poor vixen had often to go to obtain 
food for her litter; and at last, after the young ones had attained a 
considerable size, and had become fine merry-looking fellows,—bold 
enough to stand near the mouth of the earth, regardless of being seen 
by those who cautiously resorted to the spot to watch them,—the poor 
mother was caught in a trap, and, after carrying it about for some time, 
she got it off, but unfortunately some men at plough saw the poor 
maimed fox, and ran after her and finally beat her brains out, when 
almost close to her earth and cubs. 

The rabbit-catcher employed near the spot, who was also paid for 
looking after the foxes, having been told of this mishap and of the 
anger the ploughmen had met with from their master, when informed 
of their having killed the poor vixen, went the next day to look at the 
earth, and there saw a fine white-plumed hen lying near it, which was 
not there the preceding day, and must therefore have been brought by 
the father of the family. The man then left a few young rabbits for 
the cubs, and the next day found the rabbits and fowl consumed. 
He continued occasionally to take the young foxes a fresh supply of 
rabbits, rats or other food, for two or three days; and shortly after- 
wards he again found laying near the mouth of the earth, amongst the 
remnants of other things, a black fowl, brought there like the former 
by the only remaining old fox, and no doubt many other articles of 
food had: been taken down to their earth by the young foxes to feed on 
in private: this plan of the man and the old fox alternately sup- 
plying the young cubs continued for several weeks, until two oak 
trees which grew on the bank above their residence were ordered to be 
cut down, when, unluckily, the trees fell exactly across the foxes’ 
habitation ; and since this neither old nor young foxes have been seen 


Quadrupeds. 7099 


there, and no doubt the old fox led the young ones to some more con- 
cealed retreat, of which there is one only a field or two distant. That 
this has been the case there can be little or no doubt, the young foxes 
being old and strong enough now to feed themselves, with little or no 
aid from the old fox or the man; but their new place of concealment 
must have been selected for them by the former, for until they thus 
bodily decamped they never were known to go further away from the 
earth they were bred in than a few yards at a time, and were totally 
unacquainted with the nature of the country around. I have more 
recently been assured that they have taken up their abode in a small 
cover a few hundred yards distant from their former home, but in which 
no earth for them to retreat into has been discovered; I am therefore 
inclined to think this forced emigration from their birth-place is not 
intended to last for any great length of time, and ere long a return 
home may be expected, the corn-fields and vegetation in general being 
still so backward as to afford little or no shelter to the young foxes, 
who, in warm dry weather, are very fond of making themselves a 
play-ground and summer haunt in the centre of some quiet corn-field 
or other sequestered spot, where they can lay about and enjoy the 
sun’s warmth unmolested by the intrusion of any unwelcome visitor, 
either biped or quadruped. Whether pater familias in the present 
case deems his duties towards his progeny to have been sufficiently 
performed, and therefore that it is unnecessary for him to look further 
after their future welfare, may be doubtful; but now that they have 
lost that almost indispensable advantage to all young families, the pru- 
dent advice and caution of an experienced mother, I have some appre- 
hensions as to their being able to escape the dangers attendant upon 
their early entrance into active life; curiosity may induce them to 
venture a trifle too near the rabbit-catchers’ concealed trap, though 
properly set, so that no old fox would be deluded into its fatal grasp ; 
or their presumptive boldness may cause them incautiously to seek a 
too early acquaintance with the inmates of the neighbouring poultry 
yard, before being aware of the guardian terrier or other dog placed 
there in watchful anticipation of some such midnight visitation. If, 
however, they are lucky enough to escape these and similar evils inci- 
dent to early life they may then hope to prove their gratitude for the 
care bestowed upon them, by producing themselves in good health and 
condition towards the beginning or middle of October, when called 
upon by a gentle admonition of the huntsman’s horn to come forth 


and show themselves to their admiring friends. 


That these young foxes were long supported and fed by the old 


7100 Quadrupeds. 


dog-fox there can be no doubt; whether such would have been also 
the case had the vixen been alive I cannot say, though I have heard 
it said both parents do assist each other in this labour of love. I may 
here add a word on the nature of the food on which foxes feed, and of 
this there is scarcely any kind of which they will not thankfully par- 
take, when a little pressed by hunger, in frosty and bad weather,— 
poultry, game, rats, rooks, a dead (skinned) sheep or lamb; for, except 
in the mountainous districts of Scotland and Wales and some parts of 
the North of England, where rabbits and other food are not to be had, 
I deny that foxes kill sheep or lambs, though such is, I am aware, 
often ignorantly laid to their charge, and in many instances, after due 
inquiry, | have succeeded in proying to those who insisted on the 
contrary how totally unfounded is this accusation. A dead lamb just 
born may occasionally be taken, but not a lively and well-to-do one, 
which, if found to have been killed, has been destroyed by some dog, 
or, if missed, is found afterwards starved to death in a drain, or hung 
fast in a bramble, or lost in some neighbouring plantation or copse. 
A part of a dead horse or cow, or almost any kind of garbage, is all 
welcomed where there are young ones, but nothing is more kindly 
taken to by foxes than rats, of which I have often sent them dozens 
at a time, after the slaughter occasioned by taking down a corn-rick, 
when I thought the old vixen was somewhat pressed to supply her 
young, and the next day the dead rats were sure to have all disap- 
peared. During the winter season, when snow is on the ground, it is 
a curious sight to trace the foxes along the sides of a small trout- 
stream, where rats abound; near this place, when the waters are some- 
what out and the rats are driven from their holes, it is not an unusual 
thing to shoot fifty or sixty in the course of a few hours. In following 
the course of this little stream the marks appear in every direction 
in the snow where the foxes have passed and re-passed night after 
night in search of the rats and moor-hens, and many places show 
where a fox has captured a rat while it was sitting at the edge of the 
water, little thinking of the stealthy approach of the foe behind it. 
Amongst the almost universal food foxes partake of 1 was not till 
lately aware of their feeding on fish, which it may be thought difficult 
for them to catch; but it is a well known fact that the polecat, a 
smaller if not less active animal than the fox, is in the habit of sup- 
plying itself with eels for winter consumption, deposited in some safe 
hole or place near its retreat, and, singular to say, these unfortunate 
eels are not quite deprived of life before being stowed away, but are 
only so far nipped or bitten in the neck or back of the head as to pre- 


Quadrupeds. 7101 


vent their getting away, and thus they are kept in a fresh state for a 
long time for their merciless captor’s supply. Yet how, it may be 
asked, could the polecat catch this nimble kind of food? Such, how- 
ever, is the case. 

Close at hand here an old vixen and a litter of five cubs had taken 
up their quarters in an old broomy bank containing a great number of 
rabbits, which might have been seen running about in every direction 
close to where the young foxes were accustomed to come forth with the 
old vixen to enjoy the warm sun and “to recreate themselves,” as is said 
of other animals in one of the fine old glees sung at the glee clubs in 
former days. Wishing to ascertain if foxes would feed on fish, I thought 
this a good opportunity to try the experiment; although, the spot 
being close to a small stream where very shortly before three otters 
had made their appearance (one of which had, however, been caught by 
a pack of otter-hounds invited for that special purpose), I had some 
doubts whether the otters might not claim some share of the fish: I 
nevertheless determined to put down a brace of very large carp, 
weighing from fourteen to fifteen pounds each, and which I had found 
in a very forward and decomposed state in one of the adjacent pools. 
These two far-gone fish very vividly recalled to the mind the attributes 
of Caliban, who bore about him “a very ancient and fish-like smell,” 
but hardly equal to that of the two carp. Thinking this might perhaps 
prove attractive to the young foxes, I desired the two fish might be 
carried to the bottom of the bank and placed in a conspicuous place, 
where, without disturbing the foxes, their method of proceeding might 
be observed. At first no attention seemed to be paid to these high- 
flavored temptations; but I should mention that, it being just at the 
time when rook shooting was going on, the young foxes in consequence 
obtained a large supply of old rooks, some killed by accident and 
some purposely, but which were too old and tough to be converted, 
lke their progeny, into pigeon-pies, and were further aided by the ad- 
dition of all the old rabbits which the keeper took in his traps and 
snares. during the night. Whatever might have been the cause, 
whether the wind (for it was then very hot weather) was not quite in 
the right quarter to attract the young foxes to this savory meal, certain 
it is that the two fine carp remained for the first night and day within 
sight untouched and unnoticed; but on the second night a very dif- 
ferent result took place, and, if 1 remember correctly, it was on a 
Friday, which might have had something to do with the change which 
so suddenly took place, for on this same Friday the two fish disap- 
peared, a few of the bones and scales being all that was left to show 


7102 Birds. 


their former whereabouts. When it is remembered that carp are a 
very close-grained and firm fish, thirty pounds weight of such delicate 
repast might be deemed sufficient to save these young foxes from 
complaining of being harshly treated and put on a fasting fare. 


WILLIAM Henry SLANEY. 
Hatton Hall, June 12, 1860. 


Parturition of Bears.—The fact that the parturition of bears occurs during hyber- 
nation was mentioned long ago, I believe in Lloyd’s ‘ Field Sports in the North of 
Europe, but it is many years since J saw the book, which it is now utterly out of my 
power to refer tou. Though the main portion of that amusing work consists of sporting 
adventures, it is interesting also from the information it affords on yarious points of 
Natural History.— Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, April 17, 1860. 

The Common Bat (Vespertilio pipistrellus) Flying at Mid-day.—I was extremely 
surprised on Sunday last, April 8th, whilst walking in the grounds of Downing College, 
at mid-day, to have my attention drawn by a gentleman to a bat, briskly flying about 
in the open glare of the then brightly shining sun. The bat appeared to be in pursuit 
of some insects flying around a row of lime trees. Is this of common occurrence ? 
If so, would one of the able readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ kindly inform me, as I am not 
aware of a similar instance being recorded.—S. P. Saville; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge, 
April 13, 1860. 

[Many other similar instances are recorded in the ‘ Zoologist. —E. N.] 

A Bat Flying in the Sunshine——On the 30th of April, being a bright clear day, 
about two o'clock in the afternoon I was surprised by seeing a bat flitting up and 
down the lawn in front of the house, apparently unaffected by the dazzling sun, which 
was shining brightly at the time. I succeeded in obtaining it, and it proved to be 
the common small black bat, which is, I understand, gradually becoming scarce.— 
J. 1. Belfrage ; Muswell Hill, May 4, 1860. 


Birds of Amoy.—I have often observed the osprey flapping slowly along with its 
heavy buteonine flight over the deep bay between the island of Amoy and the high 
Pagoda-topped hill of Nan-tai-woo, and have on other occasions seen him sitting erect 
on some oyster-stone on the river sand-flats, but his shyness has always evaded approach. 
Winter and summer a bird of this species is often to be met with. I can at last 
announce with satisfaction the acquisition of a fine female. A Chinaman brought me 
the bird, shot, as he informed me, at Quemoy. I took down the following notes from 
the specimen while fresh. Length, 223 inches. Wing from flexure, 19}, extending 
1 inch beyond the tail. Expanse, 62. Tail, 9. Bill from base of culmen to tip in a 
direct line, 13; along the ridge-curve, 17,; cere, }; edge of lower mandible, 1,5; depth 
at the base, &. Tarsi, 23. Mid toe, 2; its claw along the curve, 15; outer toe, 13; 
claw, 18, Inner toe, 13; claw, 13. Hind toe, 1,3; claw, 1%. Bill bluish black ; 
base of upper, and basal half of lower mandible, deep leaden blue; cere also leaden 
blue. Izis bright yellow. Legs pale bluish white, occasionally patched with a leathery 


Birds. 7103 


tinge. Claws black. A comparison of the dimensions of this female with McGillivray’s 
description of the female osprey shows how much smaller our bird is. Ours tallies 
more nearly with the description in the ‘ Fauna Japonica’ of the variety from Japan, 
spoken of as the Pandion Haliztus orientalis, which is referred to Gould’s Australian 
species, Pandion leucocephalus. The bird is known to the native fishermen as the 
He-pew or Fish-tiger. I was much delighted the other day in watching a pair of 
avocets feeding in the mud at the head of the harbour. They walked steadily, the one 
following the other, flourishing their beaks from side to side through the mud with a 
measured and graceful motion, recalling to mind somewhat the play of mowers’ scythes 
as the mowers slowly advance in order through a field of grass. The idea, however, 
may be rather fanciful. I did not shoot the birds, but I have no doubt that they were 
the true recurvirostra, a specimen of which I have received from Swatow, a few miles 
down the coast. This is the first winter that I have procured the sanderling and turn- 
stone, two birds almost cosmopolite in their distribution. Among specimens of the 
former I can find no difference in size from those in McGillivray. The bird at first 
sight looks like a Tringa with its ordinary tints partially washed out, but a closer 
eXamination shows many points of difference. The forehead is full and round, almost 
as in the Charadriadez. The beak is short, broad, black, and polished at the end. 
The feet are broad and rough, and the hind toe minus. I have two specimens of the 
Strepsilas Interpres, a male and a female, and as they differ somewhat, though triflingly, 
in size from the British bird, I will here mention measurements taken from the 
fresh examples :— 


Length. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus. Mid-toe. Claw. 


1 9 1 19 2 

Female. . . 9 58 24 tb 14 25 6 
8 6 rT 10 1 19 2 

Male 20s). 88 ot 20 R ly 20 To 


The bill in both sexes is of a dark bluish or neutral tint, approaching to black. Inside 
of mouth flesh-colour, with more or less brown. The male is blacker and brighter in 
tints, and has its legs of a fine bright orange-red, whereas these tints in the female 
are tinged with a dull brown.— Robert Swinhoe ; British Consulate, Amoy, February 21, 
1860. 

The Oil-gland in Birds.—Many and many a time have I communed with you on 
the oil-gland of birds ; I will now resume the subject, without, however, quoting a 
single line from my old grandmother's library in support of its supposed uses, or 
adverting to remarks in the pages of a late periodical, now happily defunct, to the 
manifest advantage of orthodox Ornithology. It so happens that I have daily, and I 
may add hourly, opportunities of watching narrowly the habits’ of some forty barn- 
door fowls. All these birds, with now and then a few ducks in company, are ever- 
lastingly preening every part of their plumage which can be reached through the 
application of the bill. Let us take the common notion for granted, that birds do 
actually squeeze a substance from the gland and then apply it to the plumage, although 
I defy any living man to declare that he has ever detected the smallest portion of this 
mysterious lubricating fluid, either in the bill of the bird or on the plumage. Now 
all and every one of these forty birds may be seen applying their bills to their rump, 
and all, without a single exception, using the same mode in the general preening of 
their plumage, precisely the same mode. Well, but three of these birds have no tail, 
and of course no oil-gland. Still, after the operation of preening has been gone 
through, the feathers of these three birds are beautifully glossy, and no eye can 


7104 Birds. 


discern any difference whatever betwixt them and the feathers of those birds which 
possess the oil-gland. These are facts undeniable —not theories ; what say you to 
them? If the lubricating system with oil from the gland holds good in birds, why 
should it not equally hold good in beasts? I have here a favourite Tom cat, and I 
often see him apply his mouth to his posterior regions: who knows but that Tom is 
then procuring wherewith to fertilize his fur andi ncrease its wonted brightness ? 
—Charles Waterton ; Walton Hall, June 8, 1860. Communicaied by Dr. Hobson. 

Arrival of Summer Birds.—While in the garden here, on the 6th of April, the 
weather having been cold and dull for some time, I observed a small bird, which, from 
its general appearance, I imagined to be the chiffchaff, perched upon a shrub, from 
which it flew down from time to time, apparently in pursuit of flies, much in the 
manner of the flycatcher, though up to this time, probably owing to the inclemency of 
the weather, I had not heard its peculiar note. The next day, however, being warm 
and sunny, I for the first time heard it in the morning, and it continued for intervals 
throughout the day, thus confirming my previous observation. On the 19th I shot 
a wryneck also in the garden in very good condition, and on the 23rd of the same 
month, in the afternoon, I saw a blackcap on one of the upper branches of a larch, 
singing melodiously ; indeed I have noticed an unusual number of these birds this 
season, many of them in remote situations. About this time I also heard the white- 
throat. On the 25th of the same month a pair of swallows were seen by me for the 
first time this season, being the same day on which I first noticed them last year, in a 
different part of the country, though the summer was much more advanced. Owing 
to the lateness of the season, I have heard it remarked that the migratory birds have 
been much later in their arrival, but I cannot say this has been the result of my obser- 
vations.—John Henry Belfrage; Muswell Hill, May 4, 1860. . 

Occurrence of the Osprey (Falco halizétus) at Sherburne.—A very fine male 
osprey was shot near the mill-dam at Sherburne by one of the keepers of Sir T. D. 
Ledgard of Ganton Hall. It had been seen about for some time previously, and traps 
were set for it, but did not succeed. It was afterwards seen with a trout, and was 
shot. The bird has been forwarded by Sir T. D. Ledgard to me to be preserved.— 
A. Roberts ; Naturalist, King Street, Scarborough, June 2, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Sparrow Owl in Yorkshire.—I do not recollect ever mentioning 
to you for insertion in the ‘ Zoologist’ an account of my having received from a young 
clergyman, a son of Mr. Bury, who has the church at Osbarton (my brother-in-law 
Mr. Foljambe’s place), who, knowing I had a very fine collection of British birds, 
sent me a small owl in a very curious case, which was shot in the East Riding of 
Yorkshire, not far from Beverley, by a keeper,a brother of Sir Thomas Whichcote’s 
keeper, of Asworley, Lincolnshire. He sent this bird to his brother, who gave it to 
Mr. Bury, from whom I received it. I found out afterwards, from looking at Audubon’s 
‘ Birds of America, that it was the sparrow owl (Strix acadica), which is rather common 
in some parts of America, but totally unknown in this country.—W. M. £. Milner ; 
17, Brunswick Terrace, Brighton, June 16, 1860. 

A Tame Cuckoo.—I am enabled to give the biography, unluckily but a short one, 
of a cuckoo which was taken late last summer from the nest of a greenfinch, and came 
into the possession of a shoemaker’s wife, a great petter of birds, in the village of 
Staverton, Northamptonshire. I first heard of the bird early in January from a lady, 
my sister, who had seen it a few days previously. It was fed upon meat and eggs, 
was brought up—unconfined—in the living room of the cottage, where it perched as 


Birds. 7105 


near the fire as practicable, and was as tame as a cat, one or two of which animals 
were its companions and playfellows. The night was passed in‘a box covered up 
close to the fireplace. . When the cuckoo was visited by my informant it appeared like 
a young bird not fully fledged, but its mistress stated it to be then moulting, and that 
it had been well feathered some time before. That the cuckoo had survived the 
severe cold of last December was a circumstance to afford some hope of preserving it 
through an English winter, though on the other hand the fact of its moulting during 
that season was unfavourable to such a prospect. However, the bird lived some time 
longer, but I heard a few weeks ago that it had died (appropriately ?) on the Ist of 
April, so that this experiment to acclimatize a cuckoo, if promising at the commence- 
ment, has not succeeded better than others.—Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, June 16, 
1860. 

Return of a Hooded Crow toa Walled Garden in which it had been confined.—Some 
of your readers may probably recollect the curious example of instinct shown by a 
herring gull which for some years has been in the habit of returning each winter to 
the Zoological Gardens, where it was reared. A yet more singular instance has lately 
come under my observation. In the beginning of the winter 1858—9 a hvoded crow, 
slightly wounded, was given to the son of Mr. Vaux, brewer, Sunderland. The crow 
was turned into a walled garden and poultry yard, and fed regularly with the fowls, 
whom it exhibited no inclination to molest. It soon recovered, but remained, though 
never pinioned, until the month of March, 1859, when it disappeared. This winter it 
returned to the garden and joined its old companions of the poultry yard ; nor did it, 
up to a fortnight ago, ever quit the premises, feeding with the hens, and roosting every 
night in its accustomed tree. The kindness with which it had been treated has won 
its confidence, and it exhibits no more fear of man than does a domestic fowl.—H. B. 
Tristram ; Castle Eden, Ferry Hill, April 5, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Serin Finch (Fringilla Serina, Linn.) iv. England.—On a recent 
visit to Brighton I was shown a specimen of this bird that was caught in a clap-net 
near there, on the 20th of June, 1859. It is in the possession of Mr. H. Pratt, of 
35, Duke Street, Brighton, who had the bird very shortly after its capture. It was 
described as being quite alone and very wild. I believe itis a female. I have since 
seen another, a fine male, captured near London last autumn, shortly after the severe 
storm in October. I believe this is the first time this bird has been recorded as a visitor 
to this country.— Frederick Bond ; Cavendish Road, June 7, 1860. 

Localities of Sylvia Luscinia.—In Professor Kinahan’s very interesting paper on 
Migratory Birds, published in the ‘ Zoologist’ last month, some remarks occur regarding 
the English localities of the nightingale (Sylvia luscinia). Having studied the subject 
so carefully as he has done, I presume Dr. Kinahan is acquainted with all published 
records hitherto made; if so, I have several new localities to add to those named in his 
paper; and [ think it right also to point out that he is in error as regards the assertion, 
‘It is common only in the easternmost of these shires,” meaning the easterly portion 
of England. Wiltshire is not among those enumerated by Dr. Kinahan, yet the night- 
ingale not only occurs in both north and south of it, but is extremely abundant in my 
neighbourhood. In the woods of Clarendon Park, and allabout Farley and Alderbury, 
it may be heard singing all day long as well as at night, and not merely a single indi- 
vidual here and there, but generally several in one spot. I have also met with the 
nightingale in the south of Dorsetshire, at Wareham, where it is not infrequent, and 


XVIII. 258 


7106 Birds. 


have heard of its occurrence in North Dorset, at Shaftesbury, and again in North- 
amptonshire, near Northampton, as also in Surrey, at Clapham Park. These are all 
additional localities to those mentioned in Dr. Kinahan’s paper, and as this charming 
warbler is an object of interest to everybody, the fact of its being more generally 
distributed than hitherto supposed will hardly be unacceptable for record.— A. R. Hogan ; 
Pitton, near Salisbury, June 11, 1860. 

Occurrence of Richardson's Skua (Lestris Richardsonii) at Hastbourne.—A beautiful 
male specimen of the above rare bird, in the most perfect adult plumage, was shot at 
Langney Fort, Eastbourne, on Wednesday, June 6th, by a man named Ward, and 
which is in my possession. It is exactly in the same state of plumage as in Morris's 
plate, except that the legs are not “ mottled.” I have never seen, even in the British 
Museum, one in such perfect plumage, those generally that have come under my notice 
being birds of the first or second year ; in fact, as far as my own observation has gone, the 
state of plumage that this bird is in is unique. Weight, 11 0z. Length, 19} inches. 
Breadth from tip to tip of wings, 41 inches. Length of two middle tail-feathers beyond 
the others, 3 inches.—John Dutton ; South Street, Eastbourne, June 16, 1860. 

Occurrence of Richardson’s Skua at Kingsbridge.—1 have to inform you that on the 
29th of May there was brought to me a male specimen of Richardson’s skua, which 
was picked up dead in a field, since which, namely on the 6th of June, I received from 
a friend a handsome specimen of Buffon’s skua, which he had just shot in company 
with another, which he supposed to be a female, in the Kingsbridge estuary. I find 
very considerable differences existing between Richardson’s and Buffon’s skua; the 
latter having the two middle tail-feathers nearly seven inches long, being nearly four 
inches longer than the former, the bill being shorter and slighter ; the legs are shorter 
and of a different colour, being black above the knee, from thence to the foot light 
blue ; the webs and tves, which are smaller than in Richardson’s, are quite black ; the 
general appearance and colour of the birds are quite different H. Nicholls, jun. ; 
Kingsbridge, June 13, 1860. 

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) shot during the late gale.-—I record the capture of 
one of those fairy-like birds, the common tern. It was shot at Kettering, Northampton- 
shire, on Monday, the 28th of May last, the day of one of the most violent wind storms 
that has visited England for upwards of forty years; in fact it could be called little 
short of a tornado: huge trees which braved the almost irresistible hurricane of the 
28th of February were compelled to succumb; the crops of fruit which were so 
promising have sustained great damage.—S. P. Saville ; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge, 
June 12, 1860. ; 

Note on the Carnivorous propensities of the Blackheaded Gull (Larus ridibundus). 
—Two days since I visited Scoulton Mere in this county, where from three to four 
thousand pairs of these gulls nest every year, of which interesting and beautiful 
colony a full description is given in ‘ Yarrell’s British Birds,’ vol. iii. p. 434. I 
brought away with mea dead gull, which appeared to have been shot and to have 
died after reaching its home. The stomach of this specimen was found on dissection 
tu contain the remains of two small birds, one of which was apparently a meadow 
pipit and the other a willow wren, both being species which nest upon the ground, 
and which might therefore have been pounced upon by the gull whilst sitting on their 
eggs. Judging from the remains of these small birds I believe them both to have 
been adult. I was not previously aware that these gulls destroy birds, although I 

knew that they frequently devour mice, and that when a corn-stack is removed from 


Insects. 7107 


any of the fields in the neighbourhood of their nesting-place they often make their 
appearance during the operation and employ themselves in capturing the mice which 
escape from the stack during the removal of the sheaves.—J. H. Gurney ; Catton, 
Norfolk, May 30, 1860. 


Deilephila lineata in the Isle of Wight.—On the 2lst of May my sister had the 
good fortune to capture a tolerably fresh specimen of this rare insect. It was beaten 
out of an “ Arbor-vite” in the pleasure-grounds of a neighbour, at Bembridge. 
Deilephila lineata seems to have twice come under the notice of Dr. Bromfield, as 
recorded in the ‘ Zovlogist’ (Zvol. 803 and 1444). It is also known to have been taken 
in the “ Undercliff,” but I am not aware that it has occurred for many years past until 
the present capture.—A. G. More ; Bembridge, June 2, 1860. 

Occurrence of Deilephila lineata.—Three specimens have been taken at Brighton ; 
one, a female, by a boy, on the 12th of May; one, a male, by Mr. Swaysland, on the 
14th ; and one I saw. in the possession of Mr, Pratt, taken, 1 think, on the 17th. 
Two others were seen hovering over flowers, and one other was taken but pulled to 
pieces by a child between the 17th and 26th of May, all at Brighton. Another spe- 
cimen, very much worn, was taken hovering over flowers on the downs, Freshwater, 
Isle of Wight, on the 20th of May; sex not stated. — Frederick Bond ; Cavendish 
‘Road, June 7, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia rectangulata, — Short, thick and stumpy. 
Ground colour yery pale yellowish green, darker when young. Central dorsal line 
varying much in breadth and intensity of colouring, sometimes rusty red, sometimes 
dark green, frequently very indistinct, and sometimes wanting altogether. Segmental 
divisions reddish. Spiracular line rather darker than ground-colour. Whole body very 
transparent. Circulation very visible under central dorsal line. Back sprinkled with a 
few very short hairs. Dorsal stripe, when young, broad, distinct and rusty red. Feeds 
in April and May, on the blossoms of apple and wild crab. Full-fed the middle of 
the latter month. I took a number of these larve this spring in Suffolk. I noticed 
that those which fed upon wild crab were much brighter and darker coloured than 
those upon the apple blossoms in the gardens. In habits and shape this larva 
strongly resembles that of E. Haworthiata. The pupa is enclosed in a slight earthen 
cocoon. The thorax and wing-cases are yellow suffused with olive. Abdomen 
tapering, lower divisions and tip blood-red. The perfect insect appears in about a 
fortnight.—H. Harpur Crewe ; Shooter's Hill, Kent, June 18, 1860. 

Description ofa Variety of the Larva of Eupithecta assimilata.—Ground-colour pink- 
ish, back and belly tinged with green. Central dorsal line dark green, having on each of 
the middle segments a black dot on either side. Segmental divisions reddish. Body 
thickly studded with minute white tubercles, and less thickly with short whitish hairs. 
Head green, transparent, marked with black. I found this larva on black currant in 
September, 1859 ; and this spring, as I expected, it produced E. assimilata.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia expallidata, —I have great pleasure in 
giving the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ descriptions of the different varieties of this most 
beautiful and hitherto almost unknown larva. 

Var. 1. Ground-colour pale canary-yellow. Central dorsal line pale brown. 
Down the centre of the back a chain of large, deep, rich brown, tooth-shaped spots, 


7108 Insects. 


united at the points, and bordered on either side by an almost black subdorsal line. 
Dorsal spots becoming faint and confluent in the central dorsal line on the anterior 
and posterior segments, almost obliterated on the latter. Below the subdorsal lines a 
narrow rich brown line and a row of slanting stripes of the same colour. Spiracular 
line yellowish. Belly suffused on either side with brown, and having a central line 
of the same colour running the whole length. Body minutely studded with yellow 
tubercles and very short hairs. Has a wrinkled appearance. 

Var. 2. Ground-colour grass or yellowish green. Dorsal spots brown, perfect 
lozenge-shaped, ceasing on the posterior segments. Subdorsal lines deeper brown 
than the dorsal spots, interrupted at the segmental divisions. Spiracular line yel- 
lowish, bordered on the lower side with brown. 

Var. 3. Ground-colour various shades of green. All the markings, except the 
subdorsal lines, faint or altogether wanting. 

Var. 4. Whole body, with the exception of the posterior dorsal segments, suffused 
with deep rich chocolate-lrown. Posterior dorsal segments canary-yellow, with a cen- 
tral pale brown line. On every other dorsal segment two ne llom spots. On each side 
two yellow waved lines, enclosing a brown line. 

Feeds in September and throughout October, on the flowers of the golden rod 
(Solidago Virgaurea). In confinement it will eat various species of Michaelmas daisy. 
It has also, I believe, been beaten from the flowers of ragwort, but T have not myself 
met with it on anything but Solidago Virgaurea. The pupa, which is enclosed in an 
earthen cocoon, is large and thick, and has the thorax and abdomen yellow, the latter 
deeply suffused with blood-red. Wing-cases more. or less tinged with green. The 
perfect insect appears from the middle of June to the end of July.—Id. 

The Genus Dicranura, or the Kittens. — I have now on my setting-board all the 
* kittens,” and have seen the old “ puss,” but she is not worth “ boarding.” There are 
two male specimens of D. bicuspis, gems just emerged from the pupe; when I took 
them they were sitting just over the pupa-cases, on alder. Why do the French 
ones feed on birch? As far as my observation goes, and according to those of others 
also, in this country they are exclusively alder-feeders. D. bicuspis is certainly one 
of the handsomest moths one could wish to see. When at rest the pure creamy white, 
intermixed with the deep black, at once distinguishes it from D. bifida; and the 
sprawling, purple and black legs give it a charming appearance. I took D. bifida 
sitting uver the pupa-case upon poplar, and D. furcula on willow, at the same time 
that I took D, bicuspis. — J. B. Hodgkinson ; Penwortham Mill, near Preston, June 
14, 1860. 

Capture of Acronycta Alni at Holme Bush.—At Holme Bush, on the 6th instant, 
T captured Acronycta Alni, and another on the 12th, both females. The last taken 
there was five years ago.—T. Thorncroft ; 87, North Lane, Brighton, June 15, 1860. 

Reappearance in Profusion of Erastria venustula.—This beautiful little Tortrix- 
like Noctua has again appeared in Epping Forest. At first, either damaged or retarded 
by excessive wet, it occurred only sparingly, but the numbers gradually increased until 
last Sunday, the 24th of June, when they appear to have reached the zenith, one col- 
lector alone having taken about one hundred. I hope that those who have been thus 
successful will not forget that the cabinet of the Entomological Club, which throughout 
the winter is open to every applicant in quest of corect names, is yet in want of a 
series sufficient to illustrate the species fairly.—Edward Newman. 

Occurrence of Ophiodes lunaris at West Wickham.— A magnificent specimen of 


Insects. 7109 


this previously unique insect was taken at sugar on Whit-Sunday last, by Mr. Smith, 
a collector living at Walworth, with whom I am not acquainted. It was brought to 
me to name by Mr. Clements. For the satisfaction of those who may be sceptical as 
to the authenticity of such a splendid capture, I may state that it was seen by a trust- 
worthy entomologist while still alive. Ouly one other British specimen has been 
recorded, and this was said to have been taken in the New Forest by Captain 
Chawner. It issometimes represented in cabinets by injured specimens of Toxocampa 
Pastinum.— Edward Newman. 

Food-plant of Gcophora tripuncta : Correction of an E'rror.—In the ‘ Zoologist’ fur 
June (Zoo). 7060) Mr. Parfitt announced that he had bred GEcophora tripuneta from 
pupe received from Mr. D’Orville, who had found the larve feeding on dried mint. 
Immediately I perused this communication I wrote to Mr. D’Orville for some further 
particulars, for though CE. minutella is common in out-houses and its larva is known 
to feed on dry seeds, the food and habitat here assigned to CE. tripuncta appeared 
to me singular, that insect flying freely along hedges, and its proper food being, in all 
probability, decayed wood. Mr. D’Orville at once cleared up the mystery by assuring 
me the insects he had bred were G8. minutella (oppositella, Wood, fig. 1575) and not 
CE. tripuncta and, quoted the following entry from his journal. “ February, 1857. 
Found, in a bundle of dried mint, hundreds of small bluish-white larve with light brown 
head ; the leaves nearly all eaten. June 4th and 5th. Emerged a Micro with blackish 
wings, having two gold spots on each wing.” Mr. D’Orville adds in his letter “ The 
larve fed upon the dried leaves, and I had to keep them supplied with that food until 
they went into pupa. I have captured CE. tripuncta, and have three or four specimens, 
whereas of the insect I bred I have many in my store box. I have written to Mr. 
Parfitt on the subject, and enclose his letter to me just received.” Mr. Parfitt’s letter 
unfortunately again covers the whole subject with a veil of the deepest mystery. He 
has bred specimens of CE. tripuncta, but no bred specimens of C4. minutella, and the 
record in his journal respecting the CE. tripuncta states they “ were bred from larve 
feeding on a bunch of dried mint; from Mr. D’Orville, Alphington.” Mr. Parfitt 
sketches a wing of each species to show there is no transposition, and remarks that the 
fineness of his specimens of CE. tripuncta is a convincing proof that they were bred. 
Mr. Parfitt observes, ‘‘ Where the mistake is or how it can have arisen I am sure I 
cannot conceive, as at that time I was studying the Micros particularly, and was very 
careful in keeping them in separate jam pots.” Strange things do sometimes happen, 
as for instance when I bred one Elachista Chrysodesmella from among a number of 
larve collected near Zurich, which were supposed all to be E. tetragonella, E. Chryso- 
desmella not being then known to occur in Switzerland! And again, Herr Miblig, 
of Frankfort, has bred a single specimen of Gelechia Hubneri from amongst a number 
of latve of G. fraternella which I had sent to him from here, G. Hiibneri being a 
species I have never taken, and the larva of it not having hitherto been observed! 
But to imagine that out of a number of larve being found by Mr. D’Orville, some of 
which he handed to Mr. Parfitt, the larve retained by Mr. D’Orville should all produce 
CE. minutella and no other species, whilst those he gave to Mr. Parfitt should produce 
CE. tripuncta and no other species, is far beyond the limits of probability. No doubt 
by some accident the pupe were changed, though how? it is impossible to say.—H. 7’. 
Stainton ; Mountsfield, Lewisham, June 9, 1860. 

Occurrence of Badister peltatus and Anchomenus livens in Lincolnshire. —T spent 


_acouple of days this spring in the neighbourhood of Boston, Lincolnshire, with my 


7110 Insects. 


old and valued correspondent Mr. Rye, hunting for Badister peltatus, which I 
had found there the two preceding years. On his leaving me I was joined by my 
friend the Rev. W. Hey, of York, and with him I spent another day in search of B. 
peltatus. We were rather too early to find many insects out (it being the 11th of 
April in a backward season), but by cutting down the banks in thin layers, and 
shaking tussocks of grass over an oil-cloth, we took about sixty B. peltatus between 
us, besides such insects as Stenolophus Skrimshiranus, Bembidium fumigatum, Ste- 
nus latifrons, S. paganus, and Cryptobium fracticorne. The next day we visited 
Cowbit Wash, near Spalding, almost the only undrained fen in Lincolnshire. It isa 
singular country, and, to any one who has never seen a fen, must have a very striking 
appearance. It is a wide expanse of water, diversified here and there by green fields 
and osier-beds, bounded only by the horizon, excepting where the Roman banks, so 
conspicuous in this part of England, intervene. Even in this dreary region we found 
inhabitants, one of whom punted us across the water, in a boat about the size of a 
coffin, to the neighbourhood of an osier-bed. Had our time been longer and the sea- 
son a little more advanced, we might perhaps have taken Clenius holosericeus, Dro- 
mius longiceps, Trechus incilis, and other things at present only dreamed of, for 
everything had a very promising appearance. From an osier-bed, in old pieces of 
turf, and by cutting down rotten stumps, we obtained Anchomenus liveus (4), of which 
I took a pair a few miles from Cowbit, in September, 1858, A. piceus, A. micans, Pte- 
rostichus gracilis, Badister unipustulatus, Stenolophus Skrimshiranus, S. vesperti- 
nus, S. consputus (20), S. luridus, Bembidium eneum (abundant), and, rather 
strangely, Bledius tricornis many miles from salt water. A friend of mine in this 
neighbourhood, Mr. H. Milnes, has lately been so fortunate as to take a specimen of 
the very rare Amara rufocincta on the high ground above Cromford, which he very 
kindly presented me. Of the same insect I took a pair in Ayton quarries, near Scar- 
borough, in July, 1858.— Walter K. Bissill ; Cromford, Derbyshire, June 12, 1860. 

Occurrence of Laccophilus variegatus in the South of England.— I am indebted to 
the Rev. Hamlet Clark for beautiful specimens of Laccophilus variegatus, a small 
hydradephagous beetle, entirely new to this country, but tolerably common over the 
whole of France. Fairmaire’s very accurate description, which I transcribe, will en- 
able any one to recognise the species : — ‘‘ Form elongate-oval, narrowed posteriorly, 
rounded and depressed. Colour testaceous-red, the crown of the head, the base of the 
prothorax and {the middle of its anterior margin blackish: elytra covered with irre- 
gular and almost confluent black spots, giving them a brownish tint, with the exter- 
nal margin and two spots on each elytron of the red-brown ground-colour; the first of 
these spots is semicircular, transverse, and situated a little beyond the base; the 
second is also transverse, irregular, and situated a little behind the first, and beyond 
the middle of the elytron: the reflexed portion of the elytra is testaceous, inclining to 
red.’— Edward Newman. 

Telephorus rusticus.— Is it generally known that this insect is carnivorous? If 
not, it may interest Coleopterists to hear that when Telephorus lividus cannot indulge 
himself in probing the nectaries of the May or other flowers he can condescend to more 
substantial, though less ethereal diet. I spent some time this morning in watching 
the operations of a T. rusticus, who had found himself imprisoned on my window, and 
observed him feeding on the abdomen of a large fly, which had been captured by a 
spider, whose den was not far off, a couple of days before, and was already pretty well 
sucked. The Telephorus was evidently hungry, for, on finding that the spider had 


Insects. 7111 


left but little picking on the fly, he turned on his back, and, enfolding the abdominal 
section with his legs, proceeded to mandibulate (if such a word may be allowed) every 
crevice where moisture might possibly lurk with the utmost care. No elderly gentle- 
man could more diligently turn and refold, and turn again his newspaper to secure every 
particle of news, before resigning it to some restless youngster, than did the Telephorus 
twist round and round his evidently much-valued prey to see if anything further could 
be extracted from its well-stripped segments, till at length, being convinced there was 
not a morsel more to be had, he suddenly flung it aside, and sprang once more upon 
his feet. The occurrence may not be as uncommon as I take it to be, but still it seems 
a pity not to notice it—A. R. Hogan ; Pitton, near Salisbury, June 9, 1860. 

Note on Hydroptila pulchricornis and H. tineoides.—Yesterday being the finest 
we have had for some time I took advantage of it to hunt up the Phryganide, and on 
a wall near the river Tune were immense numbers of Hydroptila pulchricornis and 
H. tineoides running about with the swiftness of racers. I took out my pocket lens 
to examine them more closely, and indeed to be sure which species they were. I have 
been in doubt for some time as to whether these so-called species were really such, or 
only the sex of one species whicn now prove to be, for I had the good fortune to take 
a pair in cop. Dr. Hagen says, speaking of H. tineoides, perhaps only the female of 
the preceding species, meaning H. pulchricornis: but it is the reverse of this; H. 
pulchricornis is the female, and H. tineoides the male; his then settles this question. 
While busy looking at these Hydroptilas with my glass the sun was shining brightly 
on the wall, and in the chink of a stone were two large Epeiras ; I do not know which 
species, as I am not versed in Arachnology. I had the curiosity of trying the burning 
power of a lens on a cold-blooded animal, so I just got the glass into focus upon the 
abdomen of the poor unfortunate spider. The moment the focal power was brought 
to bear the creature gave a start, precisely as if electrified. This I repeated two or 
three times ; I did not keep the glass in focus so as to kill or injure the spider, only to 
try the effect. On the second application of the lens it was curivus to see the action 
of the creature, for it put back its hind legs, and distinctly rubbed the part; it shows 
a degree of intelligence in directing its legs to the injured part, and we ourselves 
could do no more. I was much interested to see the effect of a burning point upon 
the nervous system of this cold blooded creature. The effect produced was equally as 
rapid or quick from the moment of contact as that on one of warm blood.—Edward 
Parfitt ; Museum, Taunton, June 16, 1860. 


Situation of Pyrgoma anglicum. — There is a slight variation in the position of 
this barnacle on different specimens of our British Caryophyllacez, but, so far as I 
have seen, it has always been upon, or just below, the outer margin of the calyx of the 
coral. I have now before me five large living specimens of Pyrgoma, which appa- 
rently spring from the level of the base of the supporting corals, but in each case the 
coral is very low, and a close examination shows that the barnacle is attached in its 
usual position close to the margin of the calyx, although at first sight it appears like 
a stout buttress springing from the rock, and extending some way above the corallum. 
Is not this the case with Mr. Guyon’s specimens? ‘There are several foreign species 
of Pyrgoma which affect different parts of the corals to which they adhere, but I think 
our single British species is pretty constant in its position at the lip of the coral. I 


7112 Botanical. 


may mention that I have seen fourteen specimens of this barnacle attached to asingle - 
example of Caryophyllia Smithii that was dredged in Plymouth Sound, by Mr. T. H. 
Stewart.— EH. W. H. Holdsworth ; 26, Osnaburgh Street. 


BoTANIsT’s CORNER. 


British Cyclamen.—I can partially assist Mr. Clark (Zool. 6952) in his desire to 
determine the species of the British Cyclamen, being myself a native of Sandhurst, 
the Kentish locality in which the plant is found, and having for a long period taken 
a great interest in it. The Sandhurst Cyclamen blossoms in September, though 
occasionally a few flowers may come forth in August ; others of whom I have inquired 
confirm my own persuasion, that it has never been known in bloom at any other 
season. The original and only spot in Sandhurst where Cyclamens were found is (or 
was) a narrow strip of coppice upon a farm on the northern side of the parish, which 
farm was once the residence of one of the small country gentlemen formerly so nume- 
rous, but the Cyclamen wood is too far from the house to render it very probable that 
the plant had by some accident found its way thither from the garden. Both the 
white and the pink varieties grew there, and that they throve is most certain. I am 
not aware that any restriction was placed upon persons supplying themselves at plea- 
sure, and the existence of the plant in that locality was very generally known. I 
remember to have heard, and can quite believe it to be true, that a small nursery- 
gardener, long in business at Sandhurst, had during his time forwarded bushels of 
Cyclamen roots to one of the large gardeners in the neighbourhood of London. At 
the Rectory we possessed the plant in great abundance, and, when in full blossom, a 
a bed of the two colours intermingled presented a splendid appearance. That the 
Cyclamens are very prolific we had plentiful evidence, and that if the ground around 
the beds had been left in a state of nature it would have been covered with them. 
That they are likewise very hardy I can testify, having myself tried them, and known 
them to have been tried by others, in a great variety of soils wheze they have always 
increased rapidly, when properly managed, the grand secret being to leave them 
perfectly undisturbed, without permitting a tool of any kind to be used in the spot 
devoted to them. I have no doubt that long before this time many persons, perhaps 
some strangers as well as natives, have been puzzled by finding Cyclamens in many 
places in and around Sandhurst beside that where they were originally discovered. 
The fact is that lest they should be extirpated from their native (?) settlement pains 
were taken, partly by myself, to propagate them both by plants and seeds elsewhere, 
and I have often, when walking or riding, carried a supply of seed-pods, which I have 
scattered in the woods I passed through or by. I regret that this notice will be so 
long before it can possibly reach Mr. Clark’s eye, but I was quite unequal to preparing 


it at the time I wished to have done so.—Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, June 16, 
1860. 


“Local Museums. 7113 


Observations on Local Museums. By GreorcEe Maw, Esq,., F.L.S. &c. 


Tue formation of collections of objects relating to Natural History 
is so intimately connected with the subjects usually treated of in the 
* Zoologist’ that 1 am induced to think that the consideration of our 
local museums may come within the legitimate scope of your journal. 
May I be allowed a page or two to note down a few points in connection 
with these institutions that have presented themselves to my obser- 
vation, less as expressive of any peculiar views I entertain than for the 
purpose of awakening others to the consideration of the subject. 

I fear local museums cannot be considered as popular institutions ; 
and furthermore, they are never self-supporting, consequently their 
very existence, to say nothing of their lively prosperity, depends more 
on accidental circumstances than their possessing any inherent powers 
of vitality. Where a flourishing museum exists it is not, as far as my 
own observations go, the necessary result of its efficiency, and if we 
look behind the scenes shall probably find some kind friend propping 
it up, either with funds or superintendence. Such help, however thank- 
fully it should be received, is uncertain, and may be at any time 
removed, and the poor museum resigned to dust, dislocation and decay. 
How often have we seen a nice institution, built either through the 
assistance of some kind friend or the natural energy of a country town, 
well stocked with glass cases and specimens. Perhaps your M.P. 
patronises it for a few years, or the young surgeon takes up science 
and the museum to counteract the old literary medical man; may be, 
some two or three real lovers of Science give it more substantial support. 
A combination of such circumstances for a time produces an apparently 
flourishing museum, but in nine cases out of ten its days are numbered. 
‘These props removed, your noble institution begins to dwindle, your 
_ paid Curator is obliged to be discharged, fresh contributions of speci- 
mens are lost, or thrown dusty and uncared for in some back closet, 
contributors are affronted, their subscriptions fall off, and your funds 
only suffice to pay an occasional attendant to scrub the floor and dust 
the Venus in the vestibule once a month. The place is virtually 
closed ; nobody cares for the dead lion, and accumulated debts swallow 
up the carcass. 

Are there not several causes influencing this want of success? 
Firstly, the objects for which local museums should be established are, 
I think, rarely understood by their promoters. The exact scope of 
ihe subjects to be represented and illustrated are seldom viewed with 

XVIII. 2T 


7114 Local Museums. 


sufficient definition, and in the cases where an exact plan of operations 
is formed at the outset the functions of the museum are generally far 
too extended. County and district museums, it appears to me, should 
be rigidly limited to such objects as are found within the district, 
bearing in mind that your collection should be accumulated for the 
purpose of representing its Natural History and antiquities, also its 
manufactures if you wish it. 

In many things the utility of an object is dependent on its absolute 
completeness, no measure of perfection carrying with it a corresponding 
measure of usefulness. This is especially true with respect to col- 
lections of objects illustrative of the Natural History of a district, and 
presents itself to me as a reason for limiting the scope of our museums 
to such dimensions as will render this state of completeness within 
the range of practical attainment. 

There is too great a tendency in our local museums to bring together 
all kinds of objects, the miscellaneous character of which renders it 
utterly impossible for them to be arranged so as to illustrate any par- 
ticular subject ; and in addition to this negative utility their presence 
in a local museum absolutely falsifies the collection as an index to the 
Natural History and antiquities of a district. We have splendid 
national collections of comprehensive completeness, and what I would 
avoid in our local collections is the making of “ British Museums” on 
a small scale all over the kingdom. I would not wish to limit too_ 
closely the subjects to be included, only that they should be of local 
interest and represent something. In many cases your county museums 
would consist solely of objects of Natural History and antiquities, 
whilst in some districts the collections might be profitably extended 
to the illustration of local arts and manufactures. I think it will be 
generally found that no provincial district has the means of procuring 
materials to form a collection of objects foreign to the locality of suffi- 
cient completeness to be either useful or interesting. 

One of the causes of this miscellaneous collecting of specimens is 
the endeavour to make the museums look pretty and attractive. From 
the character of Natural History and antiquarian specimens this is but 
very partially attainable or desirable, as few of the objects are in them- 
selves ornamental, and those who would be attracted merely by the 
pleasing aspect of a museum are scarcely worth enlisting as sup- 
porters. ; 

Committees of management would doubtless often be perplexed in 
this discriminate selection of materials. It is difficult to refuse a 
proffered donation, and very unpalatable to be told your gift is unac- 


Local Museums. 7115 


ceptable. Mr. So-and-So, who wants to show how clever he is at 
bird-stuffing, will not understand why you cannot take in his pretty 
case of humming birds; Colonel Blazer withdraws his subscription 
because a place cannot be found for the Oriental arms he captured in 
the Punjab; and the lady from India, who offered the pickle bottle 
containing the snake that nearly killed her baby, is surprised that you 
have no interest in it. J would rigidly exclude all such “ odds and 
ends,” or at all events keep them quite distinct from your local col- 
lection. There might not be any objection to appropriating a separate 
room for them if you have one to spare. It should contain all the 
donations of worsted work and wax flowers, pretty tropical birds, 
monstrous lambs with two heads and chickens with four legs, Indian 
arrows, big foreign butterflies, Chinese gods, Egyptian mummies, bits 
of rock crystal, Indian scalps, sets of South Sea things, models of 
self-acting machinery and discoveries in perpetual motion, deformed 
kittens preserved in spirits, mummies of animals that have been 
starved to death and pretty bottles of coloured sand from the Isle 
of Wight. 

Another point I would notice is the present state of isolation from 
each other of the individual museums. It is scarcely to be supposed 
that each independent committee of management will intuitively light 
on the best methods of organization. ‘The systems of arrangement in 
the different museums vary very much, and it is most unlikely that they 
are all equally good or equally bad. Would it not be possible to 
organize them on some one uniform system, composed from a careful 
collation of the several methods now found amongst them? This could 
only be attained by organizing a general central committee or director- 
ship; and there are doubtless many of our leading men of science 
who would undertake in their several subjects the task of collating and 
arranging the methods on which the various departments of the museums 
should be organized. 

I would not wholly exclude the supervision of the existing committees 
of management; they would merely have to resign a part of their right 
to “‘local self-government” and work under the general central com- 
mittee. It should include a President and a separate Commissioner 
for each branch of Natural History, Geology, Botany, Entomology, 
Ornithology and General Zoology; also one for Antiquities, Local 
Arts and Local Manufactures, and under these the local committees 
would work on some uniform approved system. 

The “constitution” of this general governing power would be a very 


7116 Local Museums. 


delicate question, as the numberless little cliques and. parties into 
which naturalists are unfortunately split up would doubtless stand in 
the way of a connected organization. Almost every branch of Natural 
History has a central Society in London, and it appears to me that if 
they would each undertake the supervision of their several subjects in 
our county museums that the appointment of the “ Commissioners” I 
propose could not be in better hands. The Linnean, Geological, 
Entomological and Antiquarian Societies, and the Society of Arts, 
might unite for this object. 

Government superintendence appears to me another practicable 
method for the accomplishment of the desired object. The subject 
would not be popularly considered of the same importance as Schools 
of Art, but as it is to a certain extent related to Education, might be 
brought within the scope of Government interference. Supposing the 
local funds now spent on our county museums were kept available, a 
very trifling extra public expenditure might be the means of placing 
our local museums on a much better footing than that which they at 
_present occupy. If, as in the case of our national schools, public 
grants were made to the museums conditionally on their submission to 
the supervision of the “ Inspectors” or “ Commissioners,” 1 believe 
nearly all of them would be placed within the range of the proposed 
organization. . 

Another source of weakness to our county museums is the tendency 
towards the formation of private collections. Excepting where these 
are formed for a definite object, as accessories to the study of a given 
subject (and how often are they made without aim or intention), the 
expense to private people of bringing together Natural History speci- 
mens is, to say the best of it, much wasted, and the sources of supply 
- of specimens for public museums exhausted. ‘To counteract this I 
would propose that our public museums should be organized so as to 
be the custodians of specimens belonging to private people in addition 
to. possessing specimens, by which means I think a vast number of 
objects would be brought within the range of a useful organization 
which would otherwise lie as useless disjecla membra in private 
cabinets. 07) 
I make these few suggestions in the hope that some one will take up — 
the question in a more definite form and detail. At present I fear it 
must be admitted that our county town museums, with some few 
exceptions, are melancholy specimens of neglect and want of organ- 
ization, and should, I think, enlist the careful consideration of all who 


Cetacea. 7117 


have the progress of Natural History at heart, and who believe that 
our local museums ought to be a useful element in the progress of 
Science. 

GEORGE Maw. 


On the Great Rorqual of the Indian Ocean, with Notices of other 
Cetals, and of the Syrenia or Marine Pachyderms. By 
Epwarp BrytTH, Esq., F.L.S., &c. 


THE gigantic whales of the intertropical regions of the ocean have 
been little studied. The existence of them is even ignored by Dr. 
J. E. Gray, in his elaborate Synopsis of the known species of Cetacea, 
published in the ‘ Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and 
Terror, published in 1846, and again in the ‘ Proceedings of the 
Zoological Society’ for 1847; but there happens to be a very early 
notice of them at the northern extremity of the Arabian Sea, in the 
narrative of the famous voyage of Nearchus, the Commander of Alex- 
ander’s fleet which sailed from the Indus to the Persian Gulf, B.C. 
327. Not only did the ancient navigator encounter a troop of these 
huge animals, but it would appear that they were at that time not 
unfrequently stranded on the coast of Mekran, where the Ichthyophagi 
of that woodless region used their bones for building purposes, as stated 
in the following passages. 

“The generality of the people live in cabins, small and stifling: the 
better sort only have houses constructed with the bones of whales; 
for whales are frequently thrown up on the coast, and when the flesh 
is rotted off they take the bones, making planks and doors of such as 
are flat, and beams or rafters of the ribs or jaw bones ; and many of 
these monsters are found fifty yards in length. Strabo confirms this 
report of Arrian ; and adds, that the vertebre or socket-bones of the 
back are formed into mortars, in which they pound their fish, and mix 

it up into a paste, with the addition of a little meal.”* 

Again, “ Nearchus says that on the morning he was off Kyiza or 
Guttar they were surprised by observing the sea thrown up to a great 
height in the air, as if it were carried up by a whirlwind. The people 
were alarmed, and inquired of their pilot what might be the cause of 
the phenomenon ; he informed them that it proceeded from the blow- 
ing of the whale, and that it was the practice of the creature as he 


* Vincent's ‘ Voyage of Nearchus,’ p. 267, 


7118 Cetacea. 


sported in the sea. His report by no means quieted their alarm ; 
they stopped rowing from astonishment, and the oars fell from their 
hands. Nearchus encouraged them, and recalled them to their duty, 
ordering the heads of the vessels to be pointed at the several creatures 
as they approached, and to attack them as they would the vessel of 
an enemy in battle. The fleet immediately formed as if going to 
engage, and.advanced by a signal given, when shouting altogether, and 
dashing the water with their oars, with the trumpets sounding at the 
same time, they had the satisfaction to see the enemy give way ; for, 
upon the approach of the vessels, the monsters ahead sunk before 
them, and rose again astern, where they continued their blowing, 
without exciting any further alarm. All the credit of the victory fell 
to the share of Nearchus, and the acclamations of the people expressed 
their acknowledgment both of his judgment and fortitude employed 
in their unexpected delivery.”* 

“ The simplicity of this narrative,” continues Mr. Vincent, “bespeaks 
its truth ; the circumstances being such as would naturally occur to 
men who had seen animals of this magnitude for the first time; and 
the better knowledge our navigators are possessed of, who hunt the 
whale in his polar retreats, shows that he is sometimes as dangerous 
an enemy as he appeared to the followers of Nearchus.” 

It is somewhat remarkable, however, that I have been unable to dis- 
cover a single record, from the days of Nearchus to the present time, 
of the occurrence of great whales in the Indian seas north of the 
Equator, with the exceptions only of one huge fellow, described to have 
been 90 feet in length and 42 feet in diameter, which was stranded 
upon the Chittagong coast in 1842; another of 84 feet in length, which 
was stranded upon an islet south of Ramri and east of Cheduba on the 
Arakan Coast in 1851 (as noticed by myself in the Asiatic Society’s 
‘Journal,’ vol. xxi. p. 358 and vol. xxii. p. 414); and to these two 
notices may be added the statement in the Rev. F. Mason’s work on 
the ‘ Natural History of the Tenasserim Provinces, that “The whale 
is found south of Mergui, and Capt. Lloyd named a bay a few miles . 
south of the parallel of 12° North, ‘ Whale Bay,’ from the circumstance 
he says, ‘ of its being resorted to by numerous whales, and its being 
the only part of the coast where I have seen them.’ ”t 


* Vincent's ‘ Voyage of Nearchus,’ p. 269. 

+ I have since obtained information of one of the largest size which was stranded 
near Karachi some years ago, and also of two during the present year (1859) in Ceylon, 
one near Galle, the other near Trincomali. Referring to Dr. Kelaart’s ‘ Prodromus 
‘Faune Zeylonice,’ published in 1852, we find it there stated that “ Whales are very 


Cetacea. 7119 


They are, nevertheless, so far from being rare, indeed the sight of a 
shoal of these huge animals is so familiar a spectacle to mariners, that 
to this very circumstance—combined with the fact of their being of 
little commercial value—may be attributed the extraordinary absence 
of such memorial. Had the appearance of a shoal of enormous whales 
in the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal been a phenomenon of unusual 
occurrence, it would unquestionably have been recorded from time to 
time. 

From reliable information which I have obtained I am enabled to 
state with confidence that they are still occasionally observed within 
the Persian Gulf, rarely however in shoals, but generally one or two 
stragglers atatime. It may be concluded, therefore, that a shoal of them 
may yet be now and then seen off the coast of Mekran, at the head of 
the Arabian Sea, a little further to the East, where Nearchus and his 
fleet encountered them ; and that a carcass may still occasionally be 
stranded on the same rarely-visited coast, and the bones even yet be 
applied to like purposes by the scanty fish-eating population of that 
inhospitable woodless region. 

It appears, from much inquiry I have made on the subject of com- 
petent observers that only one species of whale is met with in these 
seas, and all accounts agree that it is a “ finner,” “ fin-back,” “ razor- 
back,” “ pike-whale” or rorqual (Balenoptera) of enormous size. I 
cannot learn that a “hunch-back” (Wegaptera) has been observed north 
of the Equator. An observant nautical friend writes word that “the whale 
most generally seen in and about the Bay of Bengal, often in numerous 


rately seen. A dead one is occasionally stranded. The skeleton of one cast ashore, 
some twenty years since, at Mount Lavinia, is still in the Museum at Colombo.” Sir 
J. Emerson Tennent, in his recent work on Ceylon, mentions their being frequently 
captured within sight of Colombo. Since the above was written, I have received a 
letter from the Rev. H. Baker, jun., of Alipi, St. Malabar, in which that attentive 
observer states, “ Whales are very common on the Coast. American ships, and occa- 
sionally a Swedish one, call at Cochin for stores during their cruises for them; but 
no English whalers ever come here that I have heard of. One said to be 100 feet 
long was stranded on the coast. I saw some of the vertebre and ribs about three 
years ago. Last year another, 90 feet long, got among the reefs at Quilon, and was 
murdered by some hundreds of natives with guns, spears, axes, &e., and was 
cut up and eaten (salted and dried as well as fresh). The Roman Catholic fishermen 
of the coast pronounced it ‘ first chop beef.’ The Maldives and Seychelles are said to 
be the head-quarters of the whalers who seek for these whales. I am sorry I never 
noticed the jaw-bones sufficiently, for I saw them on the beach. We have the dugong 


on the coast, and porpoises come up the back waters in March when they are salt, but 
the susu I do not think is known here.” 


7120 Cetacea. 


herds, exhibits the dorsal fin; at least,” he adds, “ all that have come 
under my observation, and if my memory serves me correctly, the 
dorsal fin is about one-third or a little more from the head, and is well 
developed.” To cite further communications of the kind would be 
mere repetition. 

No other Balenide attain the dimensions of the largest rorquals, 
including the known examples stranded within the Bay of Bengal ; 
and the peaked dorsal fin is of itself a distinction. Moreover, the 
finless or right whales are restricted to cold latitudes, where only, it 
would seem, they can obtain a sufficiency of their peculiar food, the 
rorquals subsisting mainly on Cephalopoda. According to Scoresby, 
the great Northern or Greenland whale (Balena mysticetus) “ has never 
been seen beyond the limits of the Arctic Ocean.” Another descends 
more southward in the comparatively cold oceanic region of the 
Northern Pacific. In the southern hemisphere there would also 
appear to be two species recognised as such by seamen with whom I 
have conversed, Balzna australis of Desmoulins and B. antarctica of 
Gray. In the Timor seas, black whales in addition to sperm are stated 
to exist in considerable numbers ; but. those black whales I have been 
assured are “ hunch-backs,” which are much more nearly akin to the 
* finners ” or rorquals, though I suspect them to be a small kind of 
cachelot subsequently noticed under the name of Euphysetes Graii. 

The locality known as Wal-visch (7. e. whale-fish) Bay, latterly spelt 
Walwich, on the East coast of South Africa, is considerably within 
the southern tropic; but the name may well refer to cachelots or sperm 
whales. In a short account of Timor, published in Moor’s ‘ Notes on 
the Indian Archipelago,’ we read that the coast people of the island of 
Selvi (one of the Timor group) “ are such expert fishermen that they 
constantly take the species of whale called black-fish, which are often 
20 feet long, and which afford oil inferior only to the spermaceti, 
having the same substance in the head as the spermaceti whale. They 
do not boil the blubber, but expose it to the sun in an inclined situ- 
ation with a ditch at the bottom, into which the oil drains.” <A small 
species of the Physeter group must be here intended ; but the black- 
fish of the Bay of Bengal is my Globicephalus indicus. As for the 
sperm-whale fishery in the Eastern Seas, the Sulu or Mindoro Sea 
between Borneo and the Philippines, in from 50° to 100° East lati- 
tude, is at present I believe the grand resort of the whalers, 

Sperm whales were formerly hunted off the shores of the Antilles. 
Thus, the excellent observer, Mr. Richard Hill, of Spanish Town, 
Jamaica, writes to his friend, Mr. P. H. Gosse, that “ Moreau de St. 


Cetacea. 7121 


Meri, in his ‘ History and Description of the old French Colony of 
St. Domingo,’ relates that in his time (1785), in the months of March, 
April and May, as many as five-and-twenty vessels from the North 
American States could be seen on the coast off Sale Trou, near Jacmel, 
fishing for cachelot whales, and, he adds, for souffleurs (Balenoptera) ; 
and that this fishery was with equal spirit pursued within the gulf to 
the west of the colony ; that is, within the bight, in which I saw the 
cachelot breach. The whale-fishers resorted to Turk’s Island to boil 
their oil.* 

Balena msyticetus is generally believed to be the largest of the true 
Balen, and it rarely attains to 70 feet long, according to a very high 
authority, the late Rev. Capt. Scoresby; but Mr. Polack, whose 
work on New Zealand contams much original matter concerning the 
great cetals of the Southern Ocean, states that B. antarctica “ not un- 
frequently attains the length of 70 feet, and the breadth where the 
flipper is placed (which is the thickest part) is often 18 feet. ‘The 
female is invariably the larger.” B. australis is stated rarely to exceed 
fifty feetin length. Again, the head in Balena approaches to one- 
third of the entire length, while in the “ finners ” and “ hunch-backs” 
it constitutes about a fourth. Lastly, the configuration of the chief 
bones of the “ flipper” or limb, is very different in the Balenz to what 
is seen in the others, as shown by Cuvier’s figures in the ‘ Ossemens 
‘Fossiles.’ These various considerations enable me to pronounce with 
confidence on the genus of the two great individuals which have been 
stranded, of late years, on the eastern shores of the Bay of Bengal. — 

‘The following notice of the 90-foot specimen (as alleged) that was 
cast upon the Chittagong coast in 1842 (in about lat. 21° North.), is 
taken from a letter that appeared in the ‘ Friend of India’ newspaper 
for September 15th of that year. It appears that “early on the 


‘morning of the 15th of August, the attention of the people of Cox’s 


Bazaar and those of Muskal Island were attracted by something in 
appearance like a capsized hull of a large vessel floating on the surface 


of the sea, coming towards the mouth of the Muskal river, and when it 


approached near the land they perceived that it was a living creature, 


‘by its continually spouting up water into the air; and by the middle 
of the day it cast itself on the shore of the west side of Muskal Island. 
By the assistance of the flood and the surf of the sea it was brought 


completely on shore, where, as soon as it was landed, it appeared to 


‘be in great distress, for it roared very loudly, similar to the roar of an 


* ©A Naturalisw’s Sojourn in Jamaica, p. 353. 
XVII. 2 U 


7422 Cetacea. 


old elephant. As soon as all the Mugh inhabitants, both of Cox’s 
Bazaar and Muskal Island, heard of the circumstance, they all sallied 
to the spot, and found that it was a large whale. They then measured 
it, and found it to be 60 cubits (equal to 90 feet) long and 28 cubits 
(equal to 42 feet) in circumference. They then cut up the animal, and 
each one helped himself to a large portion of the blubber, from which 
a quantity of oil was extracted. Two flakes of its gill [? flakes of 
baleen] were brought to me,” remarks the writer, “ which are indeed a 
great curiosity.” The foregoing details were obtained from a Mugh 
Christian, who is not likely to have remarked the presence of a “ back- 
fin.” 

The other recorded example, stated to have been 84 feet in length, 
was thrown up dead upon Juggu or Amherst Islet, about 2° further 
south, during the rainy season of 1851. A few of the bones were col- 
lected in the following year by the present Major T. P. Sparkes, then 
Assistant Commissioner of Ramri, and were presented by him to the 
Society’s museum. They consist of the two rami of the lower jaw, a 
right rib (probably the third of the series), the left radius, and five 
vertebre. The proportional length of the radius indicates the animal 
to have been a Balenoptera or rorqual, while the remarkable slender- 
ness of the lower jaw suffices to prove it a distinct species from any 
hitherto described rorqual. 

The only whale, indeed, that I can find to bear comparison with it is 
one described in the ‘ Philosophical Transactions’ (vol.i. p. 11) as cited 
by Dr. Gray, who refers it to his Megaptera americana, founded upon 
the tracing of a drawing of a species stated to be common off the Ber- 
mudas (an almost subtropical locality). That whale is thus described : 
—“ Length of adult 88 feet; the pectoral 26 feet (rather less than one- 
third of the entire length); and the tail 23 feet broad,” &c. From 
the medium length of the radius of the Indian animal the species must 
be very different; in fact, a Balenoptera as distinguished from a 
typical Megaptera or “ hunch-back.” 

But the lower jaw is remarkably slender for a Balznoptera, even 
more so than in Balena mysticetus, as viewed laterally, while the 
coronoid process is well developed, as in Gray’s figure of the lower 
jaw of Balenoptera rostrata; the base of the jaw, however, posterior 
to the process is not deeper, as in that figure, but the reverse, and the 
jaw is proportionally much longer anterior to the process. The entire 
length of each ramus is within less than 2 inches of 21 feet, showing 
the head to have been about a fourth of the total length. Vertical 
diameter, 3 feet in advance of summit of coronoid, 18 inches (measured 


Cetacea. 7123 


by callipers); at 3 feet from tip, 13$ inches; and where most con- 
tracted posterior to the coronoid, 15 inches only ; extreme depth, at 
coronoid process (inclusively), 263 inches. From middle of coronoid 
to summit of condyle posteriorly, in a direct line, 373 inches. The 
shaft of the ramus is more approximatively of the same thickness 
throughout than in Balzna mysticetus, tapering quite evenly. 

The radius is 884 inches long, nearly similar in shape to, but is more 
curved than, that of Megaptera poeskop. ‘The shape of this bone in 
Balena (as figured by Cuvier) is remarkably different. 

The rib is proportionally small, measuring only 8 feet 2 inches round 
its curvature to superior articulation. It is probably the third of the 
series, on the right side. 

Of the five vertebrze two are dorsal about the 6th and 7th; but _— 
have been much hacked and are mutilated of their processes. Body 
of the vertebra (hind surface) 114 inches deep by 15 inches broad. 

A lumbar vertebra, probably the first, has the body (measured pos- 
teriorly) 133 by 163 inches broad; antero-posterior diameter, 14 inches; 
spinal apophysis 27 inches or a trifle more, allowing for the extreme 
tip which is broken off) measured from the front, and sloping back- 
ward at an angle of nearly 45°.* Another lumbar vertebra, probably 
the 3th or 6th, with spinal apophysis 8 inches in antero-posterior 
diameter, and lateral processes 12 inches long and 84 inches broad. 
Lastly, a caudal (?) vertebra (I mean one of the series with inferior 
V-bones attached ; not one of the small caudal that support the tail- 
flukes) about the 4th ; the body (posteriorly) 15 by 173 inches broad. 

In the ‘ Asiatic Researches,’ vol. xv. Appendix, p. 34, “a large jaw- 
bone of a whale ” is recorded as having been presented by Mr. J. Kyd. 
It was only the basal portion of one, and is now much injured by long 
exposnre to the weather out-of-doors ; but it appears to have belonged 
to a rather smaller individual of the same species, which I think we 
may safely venture on designating Balenoptera indica. 

In ‘Asiatic Researches,’ vol. xvii. p. 624, “ the vertebra and cranium 
of a whale” are recorded as presented by G. Swinton, Esq. These are 
are now much damaged, and mostly valueless, from long exposure to 
all weathers—the result of want of accommodation for such bulky speci- 
cimens in our excessively over-crowded museum building. The length 
of this whale was about 30 feet, of which the head was about a fourth. 


* In the figure of the skeleton of the great northern rorqual in the volume on 
Cetacea in Jardine’s ‘ Naturalist’s Library,’ pl. 5., the apophyses of the dorsal vertebre 
are represented to slope forwards ! 


7124 Cetacea. 


Probably the young of Balznoptera indica, rather than another and 
smaller species. A. fine skull of the same, with rami of the lower jaw 
measuring 10 feet, was obtained by the late Professor H. Walker from 
a friend in Arakan, and is now in the museum of the Calcutta Medical 
College. It is most probably from the Bay of Bengal. In the Society's 
30-foot specimen the bases of the lower jaw are mutilated, only the 
shafts remaining ; but in the Medical College skull the coronoid, &c., 
of the lower jaw accord with those of our 21-foot jaw: 

There are other remains of Balenide in our museum, the origin of 
which I have been unable to trace, at least when and by whom pre- 
sented ; but they were in the collection prior to my taking charge of 
itin 1841. Portions of one skeleton appear to be referable to Balena 
australis of Desmoulins,le Grand Balein du Cap of Cuvier, or ordinary 
southern right whale. These consist of three vertebra, a pair of humeri 
and a pair of scapule. One humerus and one scapula have now been 
injured by long exposure out of doors; but the others are in tolerably 
good preservation, and well agree with Cuvier’s figures in the ‘Ossemens 
Fossiles ;| the acromion being present only in the injured scapula. 
The scapula measures 41 inches long by 47$ inches in the extreme 
breadth. The humerus 22 inches long by 15 maximum and 94 inches 
minimum breadth, Of the vertebra, one is worked into a fancy chair; 
and is an uninjured first dorsal; body 8} by 10% inches broad, 
measured posteriorly ; the lateral processes 12 inches long. Another 
is probably the third dorsal; and the remaining one is probably the 
5th dorsal, 13} by 14 inches posteriorly, and 12 inches in antero-pos- 
terior diameter; the spinal apophyses of both are broken away above 
their alz. It will be understood that I merely adjudge these to be 
portions of the same skeleton. , 

Of two pairs of the internal ear of “ the whale,” one pair is likely to 
belong to the last-noticed individual, the other pair perhaps to the 
30-foot Balznoptera, which, however, is less probable, judging from 
their great size. It is not likely that they appertaim to the same 
species, as one pair is neatly equal in size, while in the other the left 
is much larger than the right. From this great inequality [ am inclined 
to suspect that the latter pair belong to a cachelot or sperm whale. 
A large left internal ear, without a right to match it, is probably that 
noticed in the ‘Journal of the Asiatic Society, vol. v. p. 374, as having 
been presented by the late James Prinsep ; and there is even another 
left cochlea only.. On present data I cannot venture on attempting to 
identify the precise species or even genera to which these. specimens 
belong. 


Cetacea. 7125 


The eachelots or sperm whales (Catodontide of Dr. Gray), I humbly 
consider to constitute a subfamily rather of Delphinide, especially 
since the discovery of that very remarkable small species, the Euphy- 
setes Graii of Mr. W. S. Wall, Curator of the Australian Museum at 
Sydney. That gentleman well argues the matter, in his ‘ History and 
Description of a New Sperm Whale, &c., of which he favoured me 
with a copy. Unless the ear-bones before referred to belong to this 
group we have only five teeth of a sperm whale. By whom pre- 
sented I have been unable to discover. 

Mr. Polack has a curious statement regarding the sperm whale, to’ 
which I invite attention. He says, ‘‘ The cachelot is covered with an 
outer cuticle, as transparent as gold-beater’s skin, beneath which it is 
covered with hair perfectly sleek and black, covered with an uliginous 
matter, the texture and length resembling the clothing of the seal 
tribe.” 

Of ordinary Delphinidz, one of the most common species in the 
Bay of Bengal is that generally known as the black-fish to seamen, 
and named by me Globicephalus indicus in the ‘Journal of the Asiatic 
Society, vol. xxi. p. 358. This was first noticed in vol. xix. p. 426 ; 
a large herd or “ school” (i.e. shoal) of these animals having been 
carried into the salt-water lake east of Calcutta during the month of 
July, 1852. It is remarkable that two specimens which I have since 
obtained were procured during the same season of the same year, viz., 
one taken in the Hugli near Serampore, 63 feet long, in 1858, and a 
newly-born young one during the year 1859, which was brought 
to the Calcutta fish bazaar. The species is well distinguished from 
G. Deductor of the Atlantic, of which we have a fine skull of an old 
animal for comparison. The inter-maxillaries of the Indian species 
are shorter and one-fourth broader, and the teeth are considerably 

stouter. Colour of the animal, uniform leaden-black, slightly paler 
underneath. Length of an adult male 14 feet, 2 inches; the flippers 
2 feet long, and 6 inches in greatest breadth. Length of dorsal fin, 2} 
feet, and height 1l inches. Breadth of tail-flukes 3 feet; and from vent to 
cleft of tail, 4 feet 10 inches. Adult female rather smaller. The skeleton 
of a female set up in our museum has a series of 49 vertebra, additional 
to the united cervical. There are 11 dorsal or costal, 12 lumbar 
_ without the articulated V-bones, 16 with the latter, and 10 small caudal 
within the tail-flukes. We possess skeletons of the adult male and 
female, the latter set up ; the 6}-foot example mounted as a stuffed 
specimen ; and the new born young one as askeleton. There is also a 
skull of this species in the Museum of the Calcutta Medical College. 


7126 Cetacea. 


I had much trouble in securing our two skeletons of this fine cetal. 
The animals were floundering about in all directions in the shallow 
water, and groaning painfully (wide ‘ Journal of the Asiatic Society,’ 
vol. xix. p. 426). From what I afterwards learned, there must originally 
have been several dozens of them, which the natives towed off into 
the river as they died, having no notion of extracting oil from their 
carcases. The weather was terrifically hot; but I succeeded the first 
day in securing two pairs of the largest, male and female, and had 
them safely tied up towards evening for operations on the day following. 
They were all cut adrift during the night; and the work had to be 
begun again; and I considered myself fortunate in succeeding so well 
as I did in obtaining two perfect skeletons for the Society’s Museum. 

There is a Globicephalus also in the China seas, of which a descrip- 
tion, with details of its anatomy, is published in the ‘ Chinese Reposi- 
tory’ for January, 1833, p. 411. The specimen (a male) was taken 
near Leu-chen ; and, though designated G. Rissii by its describer, is 
probably a distinct species. Colour black above, lighter on the belly. 
Tiength 9% feet. “ Head 18 inches long, and average circumference 
3 feet. There were only five blunt and eroded teeth in the lower jaw. 
The dorsal fin was triangular and almost immoveable, 15 inches long ; 
pectorals 14 inches; and all remarkable for their firmness and strength.” 
“This species does not spout a jet, though their breathing is distinctly 
heard at a short distance. They swim near the surface; and we had 
several opportunities of observing their habits during the voyage. The 
sailors term them cow-fish.” 

Another small cetal of which we possess a stuffed specimen is that 
described as Delphinus perniger, El/éott (Journal of the Asiatic Society, 
vol. xvii. 250), from the Bay of Bengal; the species distinct from 
any of those described by Dr. Gray, and having the teeth proportion- 
ally large. 

Of other cetaceous remains we have the Narwhal tusk presented 
by Mr. Lumsden (Asiatic Researches, vol. xiv. Appendix), the skulls 
recorded in the ‘ Journal of the Asiatic Society,’ vol. viii, p. 969, from 
Greenland, and the two skeletons from Norway (Journal of the Asiatic 
Society, vol. xv.; Proc. vol. ix). Also two skulls of Steno rostratus of 
Cuvier ; one of an animal taken near the Nicobar Islands, the other 
from the Red Sea, and a skull which seems to be that of S. attenuatus 
of Gray (Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror, 
Cetacea, pl. 28), being probably that mentioned of “a dolphin found 
near the Isle of France,” (Asiatic Researches, vol. xii.; Appendix, 
vol. xxiv). Lower jaw 14 inches. Teeth 4}. Another lower jaw, 


_Cetacea. 7127 


“from the high seas,” with series of 38 teeth, presented by Mr. C. 
Hervey (Journal of the Asiatic Society, vol. x. p. 937), and two skulls, 
toothless, and wanting the lower jaw, with series of 39 tooth-sockets. 
Length 15 and 153 inches. Origin unknown, but presented by myself. 
All of these would appear to be the same, but the left ramus of a lower 
jaw, with series of 43 teeth, is vertically much deeper at the symphisis, 
and therefore undoubtedly appertains to a distinct species. 

Alsoa skull according with Delphinus Eurynome of Gray, and another 
with D. obscurus of Gray, which, together with the Red Sea example 
of Steno rostratus, were made over to the Society’s Museum from that 
of the Calcutta Medical College in 1843. Lastly, the skull of a dol- 
phin affined to D. Delphis of Linneus, and “ procured during the 
voyage from England to India.” It was presented by the late Mr. 
R. W. G. Frith, and is probably an undescribed species. With a 
general resemblance to that of D. Delphis the intermaxillaries, united 
as far as the middle of the rostrum, are vaulted, so that the section of 
the united middle portion forms a complete semi-circle, rising abruptly 
from their maxillaries, and being there only as broad as the exposed 
portion of each maxillary ; probably a distinctive specific character. 
Teeth 323%. If confirmed as a new species, I propose calling it 
‘Deilephila Frithi.* 

Of the Gangetic susu (Platanista gangetica) we have a stuffed 
male, presented by M. Alfred Davaucel, a stuffed female, and also a 
stuffed example of a young female procured by myself. With skulls 
of adult male and female, the former toothless, and presented by Dr. 
Wallich. The entire skeleton I have long been trying to obtain. 
There is a fine series of skeletons of this species in the Museum of 
the Calcutta Medical College. 

Though abounding in the River Hugli the susu is extremely difficult 
‘to procure, at least in the vicinity of Calcutta; and too often when a 
fine example is taken the captors saw off the rostrum, rendering it 
‘useless for a museum specimen. In what I believe to be the adult 


* Since the above was written Capt. Jethro Fairweather, commanding the ship 
¢ Forfarshire,’ has favoured us with the skull of a small but not young Steno, which 
seems to be S. attenuatus of Gray. It was procured not far frum the Sandheads, out of 
an innumerable herd of them, “as far as the eye could reach in all directions,” and was of 
a paleish lead-colour ; not therefore, however, the Delphinus malayanus var. plumbeus, 
which is a much larger species common in the Bay. Teeth #—#. Major R. C. 
Tytler, also, has presented a skull taken west of the Cape of Good Hope, which agrees, 
or very nearly so, with the two heads minus the teeth and the lower jaw, mentioned in 
the text. 


7128 Cetacea. 


male, the symphisis of the lower jaw measures 17 inches; in the adult 
female only 12 inches ; the rostrum being thus 5 inches longer in the 
former. 

The susu ascends very high up the rivers, if not quite to the foot of 
the mountains. Hardwicke’s drawing was “ made from a living speci- 
men 1000 miles above Calcutta.’ Major Tytler assures me that. he 
has seen them about 40 miles up the Jumna, and also at Raj-ghat 
Mundi in the Dehra Dhoon; likewise in the Indus and Sutlej near 
Ludiana; but these were doubtless of the species proper to the Indus 
and its tributaries. The Gangetic susu is common throughout the 
valley of Asam, in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Whether 
inhabiting the Irawadi and other Burmese waters 1 am unaware; but 
have been assured that no such animals exists there. From the 
minuteness of its eyes this creature is obviously adapted for turbid 
rather than for clear water ; and it has never been observed out at sea. 
It is migratory, as it occurs towards the Gangetic outlets only in the cold 
season, as remarked by Dr. Cantor; but at what particular season it 
is observed in the Upper Provinces I have been unable to ascertain. 

The skull of a susu from the Indus, presented by the late Sir Alex- 
ander Burnes, is of a conspicuously distinct species which I designate. 
Platanista indi, of Blyth. Maxillary crests wanting in the speci- 
men. Larger and much more robust than P. gangetica, with the same 
number of teeth, which are more than twice as. stout as in the other, 
being much ground down by attrition in the specimen. Length of 
skull 203 inches ; greatest width at zygomata 94 inches ; depth of the 
two jaws, with teeth in situ, measured in the middle of their length 
82 inches, in P. gangetica barely 13 inches. Length of symphysis of 
lower jaw 11 inches. Depth of zygomatic arch 23 inches. 

A coloured figure of probably the identical individual that furnished 
the skull above described occurs among the Burnes’ drawings. The 
rostrum is represented as short in proportion to the length of the 
animal, and the neck to be more contracted than in the Gangetic 
species, which may be an error of the draughtsman. Colour: also 
much paler ; the lower parts dull albescent, abruptly defined in a line 
from the gape to the tail-flukes. The specimen is evidently a female ; 
whence the male should have a longer rostrum. ‘The dimensions 
assigned are “7 feet long by 1 foot 3 inches deep.’ Rudimentary dor- 
sal fin as in the Gangetic species. Further information respecting the 
susu of the Indus and its tributaries is yery desirable.* — ih 


* The existence of the susu of the Indus, as a particular species, is referred’ to’ in 
Professor Reinhardt’s admirable paper on the Gangetic species, a translation of which 


Cetacea. 7129 


Of the Syrenia, or Gravigrada of De Blainville, the Cetacea herbi- 
vora of the Cuviers (which Professors De Blainville and Owen have 
shown most satisfactorily to be much more nearly akin to the quadru- 
pedal Pachyderms*), we have only the genus Halicore or duyong. 
The skull and the lumbar and caudal portion of the vertebral column 
of an adult I made out long ago to pertain to H. australis of Owen, 
the Australian duyong as distinguished from that of the Indian Seas, 
or H. indicus of F. Cuvier ; but how we came by an Australian speci- 
men was an enigma only very recently solved. In Corbyn’s ‘ India 
Review,’ vol. iii. p. 46, there is a memoir of the late Dr. Robert Tytler, 
of the Bengal Medical Establishment; and in this memoir we read 
that “‘ During his various expeditions Dr. Tytler made some valuable 
collections of natural curiosities, of which he largely and liberally 
contributed to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta. In 1827 he reada 
paper on the duyong or dayoung. The bones of four different indi- 
viduals were picked up by Dr. Tytler at Raffles Bay, on the north 
coast of New Holland. In one instance they were sufficiently numerous 
to form nearly an entire skeleton of the animal. This creature is not 
uncommon in the Eastern Archipelago, but its existence on the coast 
of New Holland was made known for the first time by Dr. Tytler.” 
Hence, obviously, our bones of Halicore australis. 

The existence of a duyong on the Australian coast was recognised 
so long ago as by Peron, in his account of the ‘ Voyage of Discovery 
to Australia,’ made by the corvettes “ Geographie,” “ Naturaliste,” and 
goelette “Casuarina,” in 1800—4, edited by M. Francis Peron, 
naturalist to the expedition, and published in 1807. Dampier mis- 
took them for hippopotami ; but he only saw a head, “half decomposed 
by digestion,” and the tusks doubtless helped to mislead hin, for little 
in his time was known of hippopotami beyond their tusks, our accurate 
acquaintance with this animal being still quite recent. 

Peron only saw a few teeth; but he mentions one of these animals 
which “lay extended on the beach of 20 to 22 decimetres [6} to 7 feet 
English] in length, already half-decomposed by putrefaction, and which 
appeared to our sailors,” he adds, “ so different from the Phoce that 
they thought they ought to bring its remains to me. Unable to bring 
the entire head, on account of the extreme stench which it exhaled, 


(by the late Dr. Wallich) appears in the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History ’ 
for 1852, pp. 162, 279, and vide p. 291. An excellent figure of the animal accompanies 
that paper. . 

_. * Vide ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society ’ for 1838, p. 45, &e. 


XVIII. 2 x 


7130 Cetacea. 


they tore from it seven teeth, which they offered me. It was easy for 
me to discover that these teeth belonged to a herbivorous animal. 
They proved, in fact, to be the teeth of a dugon, a mammiferous sea- 
animal but little known, and which appears to be confined to the 
Indian Ocean.” He then cites Leguat’s account; but this worthy 
writer observed them at the Mascarine Islands (Mauritius, Rodriguez, 
&c.), where they are now, so far as I can learn, quite extinct, and the 
species may have been different, perhaps that from the Red Sea, styled 
H. Tabernaculi by Dr. Riippell; it may, however, still be found off 
Madagascar and the neighbouring coast of Africa. 

Leguat, with his party of French Protestant refugees, settled on the 
then uninhabited island of Rodriguez in 1691, and remained there for 
two years. His account is celebrated for the description of the now 
extinct solitaire, and his accuracy in other matters has been established. 
He mentions duyongs as inhabiting the shores of the Mascarine 
Islands “in great numbers. They attained to 20 feet in length, and 
fed in flocks like sheep in three or four fathoms water, making no 
attempt at escape when approached. Sometimes they were shot at 
the end of the musket, sometimes laid hold of and forced on shore. 
Three or four hundred were met with together, and they were so far 
from shy that they suffered themselves to be handled, and the fattest 
were thus selected. The larger ones were avoided, not only on account 
of the trouble they gave in the capture, but because their flesh was 
not so good as that of the smaller and younger ones.” * 

The H. Tabernaculi of the Red Sea Dr. Riippell “saw swimming 
among the coral banks on the Abyssinian coast near the Dalac Islands. 
The fishermen harpooned a female, which he dissected, 10 feet long. 
The Arabs stated that they live in pairs or small families, that they 
have feeble voices, feed on Algw, and that in February and March 
bloody battles take place between the males, which attain to 18 feet,” 
&e.t 

Sir Stamford Raffles remarks that “the duyongs are seldom caught 
at Singapore above 8 or 9 feet in length; but how much larger they 
grow is not ascertained, as, when they exceed that size, their superior 
strength enables them to make their escape.” 

Barchemitz remarks of those of Australia that “Each of these enor- 
mous fish is more than 21 feet long; the male is a little larger than 
the female. Their heads resemble that of an ox. They live upon a 
green grass which grows upon the banks.” 1k ee 

Some of the sailors of the expedition that Peron accompanied were 


* Penny Cyclopedia, article “ Whales.” . + Id. 


Cetacea. 7131 


once “ alarmed by a terrific howling which resembled the roaring of a 
bull, but much stronger, which seemed to come from the neighbouring 
reeds.” This was near the Swan River; and it may be remarked that 
Mr. Fraser, in his description of the Swan River, when it was surveyed 
by Capt. Stirling in 1826, notices that “ while attending to a boat on 
the river I distinctly heard the bellowing of some huge animal similar 
to that of an ox, from an extensive marsh further up the river.” Peron 
justly remarks that “ this terrific roar could ouly belong to one of those 
great animals which the Indian Ocean nourishes within its seas; but 
of all those with which we are acquainted the dugon alone presents 
analogous dimensions to the terrific noise which it makes.” Now the 
Arabs described to Dr. Riippell that the duyong of the Red Sea had 
a feeble voice ! 

The Australian duyong is met with on the north coast of that island- 
continent,within the great barrier reef, at Swan River on the western side, 
and at Moreton Bay on the eastern. It certainly appears to be a dis- 
tinct species from that of the Malayan Seas; but additional species 
to these two are less satisfactorily established, and the total disappear- 
ance of these animals from the vicinity of the Mascarine Islands is 
worthy of attention, and may be borne in mind with reference to the 
extraordinary fact of the seeming extinction of the Rytinus Stelleri in 
the North Pacific. We want information, however, respecting duyongs 
at the various coral groups of the Indian Ocean, within ten or twelve 
degrees of the Equator. The same species may well inhabit the whole 
of them. It is remarkable that the Malays consider that two species 
of these animals exist.* 

I am not aware that it is yet generally known to zoologists that the 
H. australis differs conspicuously in external colouring from H. indicus, 
but such appears to be the fact from the following notice :— 

“Tn Moreton Bay and on the neighbouring coast the aborigines 
eagerly pursue the duyong, a species of small whale, generally known 
to the colonists as the ‘ sea-pig.’ This animal has a thick smooth 
skin, with a few hairs scattered over its surface. Its colour is bluish 
on the back, with a white breast aud belly.t In size the full-grown 


* Vide ‘ Proceedings of the Zovlogical Society ’ for 1838, note to p. 43. 

+ M. F. Cuvier figures the Malayan duyong of an uniform pale slaty or plumbeous 
colour, with some darker blotches on the sides. In the atlas to the ‘ Voyage of the 
Astrolabe’ the duyong is figured of a pale fulvous hue with white under parts, which 
laterally are blotched with the colour of the back. Hardwicke figures it of an uniform 
slaty black, albescent on the head (unless this be meant for shine or reflected light). 
There is a wood-cut showing the mode in which the female carries her young in Sir 
J. E, Tennent’s work on Ceylon. 


7132 Cetacea: 


male has never, we believe, been found more than eighteen or twenty 
feet long. The food of the duyong consists chiefly of marine vegetables, 
which it finds at the bottom of inlets, in comparatively shallow water, 
where it is easily captured. Its flesh resembles good beef, and is much 
esteemed. The oil obtained from its fat is peculiarly clear and limpid, 
and is free from any disagreeable smell, such as most animal oils are 
accompanied with. It has not yet been produced in sufficient quanti- 
ties to acquire a recognized market value. The blacks ‘devour the 
carcase of the duyong roasted, after expressing the oil for sale to the 
colonists.” * 

. In a recent anonymous work, entitled ‘ Rambles at the Antipodes,’ 
&c., published in 1859, the duyong is mentioned as the yangan of the 
aborigines. This author, like every other (from the time of Sir Stam- 
ford Raffles and before), describes the meat of the duyong to be excel- 
lent, “ when fresh having the taste of tender beef, and when salted 
nearly resembling bacon.” Hence, perhaps, the apellation ‘ sea-pig.’ 
The duyong, it.is added, “ yields an oil, which is found in cases of 
scrofula and other diseases to be more efficacious than cod-liver oil.” 
The latter would seem to be rising in demand; worse luck for the 
animal! A friend informs us that it is most difficult to obtain even a 
portion of duyong meat at Malacca; as no sooner is a specimen 
captured than it is at once cut up and cooked by the Malays. Hence 
the difficulty of obtaining museum specimens. 

Of the Indian duyong we possess a small stuffed specimen, presented 
by the Batavian Society in 1845; and the lower jaw, scapule, and 
four ribs of a larger but still young individual, recently found in an 
Andaman hut. The Andaman Islands are the most northern locality 
as yet ascertained for the species in the Bay of Bengal; and it must 
be rare there, or the bones would more frequently be found to decorate 
those rude lairs (huts they cannot justly be termed), together with the 
skulls of the small Sus andamanensis and of turtles. On the west coast 
of Ceylon Mr. Layard notices that duyongs are common in the Gulf 
of Calpentyn; the flesh of this animal being there also held in esteem. 
Sir J. E. Tennent, again, remarks their occurrence in all the salt-water 
inlets from the Gulf of Calpentyn to Adam’s Bridge. They are 
found likewise along the shore and in the salt-water inlets of 
the Concan, where, as not long ago ascertained by the Rev. 
J. Baker, jun., of Mundakyum, Alipi, on that coast, they are known 
to Europeans as the seal. That gentleman took some pains to discover 


~* ©The Three Colonies of Australia,’ (p. 337), by Samuel Sidney. 


Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 7133 


what the animal could be, and found that it was the duyong, which 
came to feed on the vegetable matter found about the rocks, as well as 
to bask and sleep in the morning sun (!). | Forbes, in’ his ‘ Oriental 
Memoirs,’ gives an account of these so-called seals as “ abounding in 
the salt-waters of Travancore ;” but his description of them is either 
inaccurate, or it must refer to some other animal (which is exceedingly 
unlikely). He says, “The Travancore seal has a round head, short 
ears, thick neck, tapering body, and flat tail, like a fish; it is web- 
footed, and the skin covered with a soft oily hair. Seals,” he adds, 
“vary in size and appearance in different countries ; at Anjingo they 
seldom exceed 4 feet ['] in length. They are gregarious and sociable ; 
form parties on the banks of the rivers, but always plunge in at the 
approach of a stranger.” * 

In our Andaman specimen of a lower jaw the first molar has a minute 
forked crown, and proportionally very large root. Then follow three 
deciduary pre-molars, ground to a perfectly flat surface; and behind 
these a tuberculated permanent molar, which had nearly pierced the 
‘gum when the animal came by its death. 

A complete skeleton of an adult duyong would be extremely accept- 
able for the Society’s Museum ; no matter how roughly prepared, pro- 
vided no bones are wanting. Skulls, also, of adults of both sexes are 
desirable. 

Epwarp BLyTH. 


Zoological Notes from Aneiteum, New Hebrides. 
By Joun MacGIi.iivray, Esq. 


Description of Procellaria torquata, a new Species of Petrel.— 
Above light gray, especially on the back, shoulders and upper tail- 
covers; the feathers in the two first situations often margined with 
white. Crown, back of head and neck and auriculars sooty brown, 
which colour behind gradually blends with the gray of the back, and 
in front extends across the breast from each side to form an indistinct 
band. Wings projecting an inch beyond the tail, dark sooty brown; the 
secondaries tinged with gray. Tail very evenly graduated, of twelve 
feathers, grayish brown. Face, cheeks, chin and throat white ; on the 
sides and front of the head the white merely tips the feathers, the base 
and centre of each being dark, giving a speckled appearance to 
the rest of that region. Lower surface white, except the undefined 
pectoral band; and on the sides, flanks and under tail-covers the 


* Forbes’ ‘ Oriental Memoirs,’ 2nd edition, vol. i. p. 227. 


7134 Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 


feathers are minutely speckled with gray, and sometimes have also a 
dark central line. Under wing-covers white, showing as conspicuous 
a mark when the bird is on the wing as in P. Cookii, to which and to 
P. mollis it is closely allied. Bill black ; tarsi fleshy black; toes and 
webs (except basal portion of latter, which are flesh-coloured) black. 
Total length 43 inches; extent of wings 28; wing 83; tail 4}; bill 
from rictus 13, inch, and from base 1; tarsus 1; middle toe and 
claw 1,4,. There is no outward sexual distinction. 

The preceding description represents what is probably the adult 
plumage. There is another stage, perhaps indicative of the first 
moult, in which the pectoral band extends across the breast ; and the 
whole of the lower surface behind this, instead of being white, is of a 
gray colour, the under plumage being white. From dissection I 
ascertained that females in both stages had laid eggs. A petrel* nearly 
allied to the present, and also appearing in two different styles of plu- 
mage, was found by me incubating as well in the immature as in the 
full dress. 

P. torquata is not confined to the island of Aneiteum. I have seen 
it on various occasions off the coasts of Tana and Eramanga, and was 
assured by a native of the former island thatit breeds in his district,which 
commences about twelve miles to the southward of Port Resolution. 
On Aneiteum it breeds in burrows on the wooded mountains of the 
interior of the island, the highest of which attains an elevation of 2788 
feet. A young bird, not many days old, and covered with black down, 
was brought me on the 14th of Febraury, but I have not Fer | seen an 
egg. The Aneiteumese name is Katébu. 


Description of Pteropus Geddiei,t a new Species of Pteropus.— 
General colour deep black. A pale reddish yellow patch extends from 
the occiput backwards across the shoulders, and includes the sides of 
the neck. Back covered with glossy adpressed black hairs, mixed 
with a few of a rusty colour; upper surface of upper arm very thinly 
clad with hairs ; fore arm bare. Lower part of back and upper surface 
of thighs covered with longer and coarser black hairs, reddish at the 
tips. Head showing many grizzled hairs, and, as well as the throat 


* From the Kermadec Isles. Specimens with the MS. name, P. Raoulensis, 
attached were sent by me to the British Museum several years ago. This bird should 
be placed by the side of P. Lessoni. 

+ In honour of the Rev. J. Geddie, who, in common with all the members of his 
amiable family, not only materially assisted me in forming my collection, while at the 
same time enjoying his hospitality, but has himself become a collector of zoological 
specimens for his friends in Nova Scotia and Canada. 


Zoological Notes from Aneitewn. 7135 


and whole of lower surface, covered with coarse black fur extending a 
little way on the membranes, thinly covering the shoulders and thighs, 
but leaving the fore arms and legs nearly bare; rusty hairs on the sides 
of the upper jaw, the angle of the lower jaw, between the eyes in a tri- 
angular space, and at the base of the ears. Ears rounded at. the tip, 
with rather more than the apical half bare. Total length 12 inches ; 
expanse of membrane 49; occiput to tip of nose 3}; ears 143; inch; 
fore arm 6 inches; thumb and claw 2,4,; index 43; legs 3; feet to. 
tip of claw 2,4. 

While one of the great frugivorous bats, P. funereus, has a range ex- 
tending from New Guinea southwards into Australia, in which country 
I have met with it in places about 600 miles apart (Port Essington 
and the Howick Isles), and a second species stretches at least across 
New Caledonia, having been shot by me both at Port de France on 
the west and Kanala on the east coasts, and a third (P. Kerandreni) is 
diffused over the great Archipelago of Fiji, on the little island of Anei- 
teum, the extreme width of which is less than nine miles, there are two 
very distinct species of Pteropus which do not intrude upon each 
other’s districts ; the smaller one, so far as I can judge, inhabiting the 
windward, and the other, which I have been describing, the leeward 
sides of the island. It has not been thought necessary to institute a: 
comparison between these two last, as they need never be confounded 
with each other. Of the first, specimens were sent to the British 
Museum six years ago ; but, although I met with the second on one 
occasion at that period and skinned four individuals, the want of pre- 
servatives and the intervention of two very hot days before I could get 
any, compelled me, with much regret, to throw away the skins. Like 
all other Pteropi I have met with—nine species in all— P. Geddiei is 
gregarious, and the sexes generally keep apart; nor could I ever find 
our when or under what circumstances they meet. At one great place 
of resort—a thickly wooded bank near the sea— behind a grove of: 
bread-fruit and other trees, these bats are at times to be seen in great. 
numbers, while for weeks, and even months together, there are none. 
in the neighbourhood. At this locality, however, I think their arriyal 
and departure are connected with the ripening of the two annnal crops 
of the bread-fruit, to which they are very destructive. I have never 
shot any but males at this place, nor have I yet met with the female, 
The Aneiteumese are fond of these bats as food, and used to spin the 
fur into cordage used in ornamenting the person. Besides occasionally 
killing them with stones and short sticks, they sometimes catch them: 

_ in traps similar to those used in fishing—circular, flat-bottomed baskets 


7136 Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 


made of Flagellaria indica, with a hole at the top for entrance, and 
some papaw apple for bait. The trap is fixed in one of the trees the 
bats are known to frequent. In Fiyi a similar mode of catching them 
is practised. On the island of Moala a native one day agreed to take 
me where I should see some bats, and in due time called out “mbeka !” 
pointing out among the foliage of an lambosa tree something dark in 
motion, at which I fired. My companion was speedily up among the 
branches like a monkey, and | then could discern a bat-trap set there, 
from which, with a malicious grin and averted nose, he drew forth and 
threw down to me two Pteropi, one quite putrid, the other killed by 
shot. Pteropus Geddiei has its favourite trees for roosting on during 
the day, generally some wide-spreading fig or banyan is preferred ; 
once, however, 1 noticed a species of Acacia had been selected as a 
place of resort. During the day time, and while suspended from the 
tree, they are readily roused by any unusual noise, such as the crackling 
of a stick under foot, and are not very easily approached. Like the 
other large bats they are very tenacious of life, and cling to the branches 
as long as they possess the requisite strength, and sometimes remain 
suspended even after death. The males seem to be very pugnacious ; 
I have seen them fighting among themselves on the trees, and a wounded 
one will furiously attack anything brought in contact with it. With 
their formidable canine teeth they inflict severe bites, and retain their 
hold of a mouthful with great tenacity. 

The Aneiteumese generic name for Pteropus is Nekrei; the larger 
species is called Nawathelgau, and the smaller one Nalivatran. This 
last, besides feeding on the fruit of trees, is said to be fond of the berries 
of a Vaccinium, a low bush growing abundantly on the lower slopes 
of the hills. 


On a Poisonous Property attributed to Conus textile.—On my first 
visit to Aneiteum I was told of a shell-fish which, on being incautiously 
handled, is said to eject a poison, causing, if it comes in contact with 
the hand, an immediate and peculiar sensation, then numbness of the 
hand and arm, followed by intense pain, usually severe illness, and not 
unfrequently death. The native name is Intrag, and the mollusk in 
question is the well-known Conus textile. Having frequently handled 
this shell-fish while collecting on coral reefs in the Pacific, Torres 
Strait, and the N.E. Coast of Australia, without having sustained any 
injury from it, I was naturally somewhat incredulous in the matter; 
yet as the general belief—which 1s never wholly destitute of foundation 
—was against me, I yielded to it so far as afterwards to handle with 


Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 7137 


caution any live specimen I saw. I was told that the small Intrags 
and those of certain localities (one of which is near my present resi- 
dence) are reputed more dangerous than others. The Intrag is not 
usually considered dangerous unless the auimal be touched, which ot 
course no one here will do, except unwittingly, but some of the natives 
say that it can “ blow ” the poisonous influence upon the hand of an 
intruder from the distance of several inches. 

On June 9th of the present year, about 10 p.m. I had brought to 
me a young man, my neighbour Niuenham, who was said to have 
recently been poisoned by the Intrag, and appeared to suffer intense 
pain. From what I could learn it seems that he and a companion 
had been looking for shell-fish by moonlight about two hours previously. 
N. had picked up in the shallow water something which he did not 
see distinctly. Immediately on touching it, and while his hand was 
in the water, he felt a sensation as if some very cold water had been 
“blown ” on the palm of his right hand, and dropped the object, which 
he saw was an Intrag. Not long afterwards he went home, and soon 
began to complain of a numbness in the whole of his right arm and 
hand. This was immediately ascribed to his having touched the 
‘Intrag, and his companion went back to the spot for it, carefully picked 
it up, the shell with the animal retracted, and eventually it was given 
tome. A bandage was tied tightly round the sufferer’s arm at a little 
below the shoulder, and when I saw him the arm was cold and much 
swollen, and the pulse about 50, and very feeble. I administered an 
enormous dose of the solution of muriate of morphia, as he suffered 
excruciating pain. A medical man in New Zealand having suggested 
the experiment of burying the hand and arm affected in fresh earth, 
this was done, but the patient could not endure it long, for he literally 
writhed in agony while lying on his face on a mat, with his arm in the 
ground. Meanwhile a man experienced in such matters had been 
sent for. On arrival he prepared a knife or two of strips of bamboo, 
and made two deep incisions in the upper part of the arm, one in front, 
another behind, below the ligature, which had been slackened. About 
half-a-pint of blood was obtained. Next morning at 8 a.m. I found 
‘that the morphia had produced sound sleep during the night, and that 
‘the bandage had been removed according to my suggestion. The 
right arm was swollen, and felt rather cold, but the pulsation was 
equally strong at each wrist, sixty-three beats to the minute. Means 
were taken to assist in restoring the natural temperature to the arm, 
and wine was ordered, to be discontinued on indications of reaction 
‘showing themselves. All pain, except from the incisions, had dis- 

ORV BS 


7138 Zoological Notes from Aneitewm. 


appeared, and in the course of about a week the patient recovered his 
usual health. With regard to this case it is right to mention that 
although satisfied by the circumstantial evidence that contact with an 
Intrag had produced extraordinary effects, yet 1 could not separate 
them satisfactorily from those fairly attributable to the ligature. No 
pain was felt before the bandage was applied. 

A case which terminated fatally may now be mentioned. On the 
28th of May, 1859, I went along with the Rev. J. Geddie to see a sick 
woman, who, fourteen days before, was believed to have been poisoned 
by her hands having accidentally come in contact with an Intrag while 
collecting shell-fish on the reef. The whole right hand and arm to 
within a few inches of the axilla were in a state of gangrene, with the 
bone exposed in several places. No hemorrhage, however, had taken 
place. I could see that numerous small but deep incisions had been 
made in the arm. There was not, I may mention, as with a light 
skinned person, the same facility for ascertaining the exisience of a 
line of demarcation between the living and the dead portions of the 
body. Apparently, there was sound material enough to render ampu- 
tation at the shoulder-joint possible, but, unfortunately, on the back 
of the shoulder, also on the sides of the chest, there were indications 
of incipient gangrene in the peeling off of the cuticle, and the formation 
of vesicles, rendering the operation unadvisable, because holding out 
no hope of saving life. In this case I learned that a tight bandage 
had been kept on for several days, probably of itself sufficient to induce 
mortification even in a healthy limb. 

These two cases are the only ones of which I can say anything from 
personal observation, and I shall make no further comment than - 
merely to observe that as I cannot find any special apparatus in the 
animal of Conus textile, or see any anatomical difference between it 
and C. arenatus (which is known to be innocuous) after examining 
both, I feel great reluctance in subscribing even to the universal 
popular belief on this island of the power of the Intrag to cause injury 
to man in the manner ascribed to it. A jet from the siphon of the 
animal might partially account for the first sensation experienced. 
No puncture or abrasion of the cuticle is ever spoken of, but in some 
cases, I have been told, the skin has been discoloured,—the word 
used being “ emilmat,’ which means either blue or green. 


On the Fishes of Aneiteum.—Before packing up a collection of 
fishes I may as well pen a few remarks. As it includes everything 
brought to me which was neither too large nor too small to be skinned 


Zovlogical Noles from Aneiteum. 7139 


and stuffed conveniently, including upwards of a hundred species, 
caught with the net, hook, spear, hand or fishing-basket, common as 
well as rare, it may be looked upon as a fair sample of the fishes of the 
seas bordering this island, as well as of the fresh-water streams. Taking 
Cuvier’s arrangement as a convenient guide, it may be stated that nearly 
all the fishes in question belong to the Osseous Series, and that about 
four-fifths are included in the first order or Acanthopterygii. 

Among the Percide are several species of Serranus, as well as 
members of many other genera, the names of which I have no means 
of ascertaining. Two of these last are confined to the fresh water. 
Holocentrum is well represented by seven species, either of a brillant 
red colour, or of silvery lustre; and there is also a species of the 
allied genus Missipristis. A solitary Upeneus may be mentioned, 
also a small Apogon not so brightly coloured as usual. 

Of the armed-headed or hard-cheeked fishes a small Ccphalacanthus 
was brought me; out of the water it can take vigorous leaps for a 
short time. But the most singular member of this family I have seen 
here is the Ndrukthannia, possibly a Pterois. It is a handsome fish, 
upwards of a foot in length, chiefly of a bright red colour, variously 
streaked and spotted, and remarkable on account of the great length 
of the dorsal spines and the enormous size of the ventrals and pectorals, 
the latter of which have the rays prolonged beyond the fin. The cheeks 
are armed with clusters of prickles, and there are other prickles and 
spines about the head. ‘The formidable dorsal spines are believed to 
be capable of inflicting very painful and even dangerous wounds, 
attributed by the natives to some poisonous property inherent in 
them. 

Of the family Sparide a Pagellus is very common, and there are two 
other fishes (one of a bright green colour) very much elongated in 
shape, with sharp snouts and strong teeth, the front ones hooked, 
which are probably of the genus Dentex. A solitary Mcena represents 
the fifth family. 

The Squamipennes muster here in great force, including many 
species of Chetodon, Heniochus and Holocanthus, also a Chelmon, 
and some others allied to Pimelepterus. Many of the first, second 
and fourth of these genera are curiously diversified by black and yel- 
low bands, stripes, and eye-like spots, One Heniochus has a dorsal 
filament as long as the whole body. 

Of Scomberide there are few species, all of which, however, go in 
shoals. Caranx and Vomer are the principal genera. 

There is considerable variety among the lancet fishes. Of five 


7140 Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 


species referrible to Acanthurus probably only one belongs to that 
genus, as now restricted, and the others, which are all of a very dark, 
almost black colour, to three allied genera. One species is remarkable 
for the enormous dorsal and anal fins, and this, together with the body 
being black, has originated a somewhat fanciful resemblance to the 
Jarge bats (Pteropi), and one name serves for both objects. Two others, 
with the upper and lowermost caudal rays prolonged, have a curious 
orange-coloured patch on each side. A Siganus is common, as are 
also a Naseus and another fish allied to it, but generically differing 
by having a protuberance instead of a horn on the forehead, and the 
upper and lower margins of the caudal not prolonged into filaments. 
The two last come in over the reef in shoals with the flood tide, and 
inflict painful and troublesome wounds with their sharp lateral cutting 
plates, while dashing about among the fishermen’s legs. 

A fresh-water mullet, a foot or more in length, is common in the 
streams, where, also, are two species of a genus of fishes, which I may 
place provisionally among the mullets, not knowing its proper position. 
The first dorsal has six instead of four spinous rays, as in Mugil, both 
jaws are furnished with numerous rows of close-set teeth, and many of 
the rays of all the fins except the first dorsal are free at the extremity ; 
but the most remarkable peculiarity consists in a fleshy flap behind 
the anus. They chiefly frequent still muddy pools and ditches, and 
bite eagerly at fish or meat bait. One of the two kinds—but perhaps 
the other is only the young-—grows to a foot in length. 

Among the members of the Goby family a marine Salarias and a 
Gobius may be enumerated. There are two fresh-water species (of 
different genera) belonging to this family ; they are fond of resting on 
the stones in the rapid streams, probably adhering by means of the 
sucker-like disk formed by the union of the ventrals. 

The Labride are probably the most numerous, both in species and 
individuals, among the various families of Aneiteumese fishes. This, 
I think, is generally the case where coral reefs abound. Although IL 
have seen none of Labrus proper, yet in the collection there are eleven 
species of Julis, all once exhibiting beautiful colours, two Gomphosi, 
three Cheilini, an Anampses and a Xirichthys. Of this last it may be 
observed that, besides being somewhat comprehensive in form, it 
exhibits another analogy with the dolphins in its remarkable change 
of colour. When alive it is almost entirely waxy bluish white, but 
after death various colours mm bands, patches and spots made their 
appearance on the skin for the first time. There is also a green 
and blue Scarus belonging to this family. 


Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 7141 


A solitary Aulastomus, which sometimes measures above a yard in 
length, represents the Fistularide. 

The Order Malacopterygii does not, apparently, contain many Anei- 
teumese fishes. Belone, Hemiramphus, Exocetus and Plotosus are 
the only abdominal ones I know of. The last is carefully handled by 
the fishermen on account of the barbed spines, of which there is one 
in the first dorsal and each of the pectoral fius. A Phycis belongs to 
the first, and a Pleuronectes to the second section of the Subbrachiate 
Order. The Phycis alluded to may perhaps belong to another genus, 
as its ventrals consist of two rays each, instead of a single one. The 
fishes of the third section, or apodous Malacopterygians, are an Anguilla, 
common in the fresh water, and three or four species of Mureena, 
Ophisurus and allied genera. 

The only Lophobranchiate fishes I know of are two kinds of Syng- 
nathus. 

The first or Gymnodontal division of the Plectognathi is represented 
by a fine large Tetraodon, covered, except, on. the belly, with white 
spots, and a Diodon with long spines directed backwards, with the 
exception of a few of the foremost ones. The second or Sclerodermal 
division contains as many as seven species of Balistes, the most 
singular of which has numerous large, white, eye-like spots, and two 
kinds of Ostracion very closely resembling each other. 

Of the cartilaginous fishes there is only one representative im the 
collection, a young Carcharias, probably C. melanopterus. Sharks, 
however, are not uncommon, and I have also seen at least one species 
of Trygon. 


Description of Prisopus Carlotta, a New Species of Leaf Insect. 
_—Female. Body much depressed, slightly convex above, flat 
below ; whole of upper surface and membranes rugose, also with small 
tubercles on the body, especially the thorax ; lower surface smooth. 
Antenne setaceous, nearly half as long as the body, of about twenty- 
five joints. Wing-covers their own width apart, very small (little more 
than one-tenth of an inch in length), rounded on outer and posterior 
edges, and straight on internal margin; wings also very small, when 
folded reaching the middle of the first abdominal segment, and pro- 
jecting the tenth of an inch behind the covers. Abdomen of ten 
segments, slightly widening from the base towards the middle, then 
tapering to the extremity, with a faint central dorsal ridge above, and 
two lateral ones on the lower surface ; a minute lateral appendage 
behind the fore legs, and four pyriform plates on each side between 


7142' Birds. 


the middle and posterior pairs of legs; second abdominal segment 
and subsequent ones with a leaf-like appendage on each side, rounded 
at the tip; the first three pairs small, gradually increasing in size, the 
next three very much larger, and the last three suddenly diminishing 
in size. Femora dilated externally by a deeply-toothed or scalloped 
leaf-like fringe ; the tibiz likewise, but in less degree, and the base 
of the tarsi to a less extent still; the inner margins of the legs also 
are fringed, but not very conspicuously, except in the case of the 
middle pair of femora, All these membranous fringes, as well as those 
of the body, are ciliated. ‘The number of dentations on the outer 
margin of the femora agrees in three specimens before me, namely, 
anterior 9, middle 6, posterior 7. Length of body 24 inches; greatest 
width ,&ths of an inch; length of antenne linch. The colour is vari- 
able; it is either a dull grayish green, finely and irregularly mottled, 
or silvery gray also mottled, having greenish and yellowish shades, 
altogether reminding me of some of the lichens. The eggs are one- 
tenth of an inch in length, elliptical and slightly compressed ; a mark 
on one side resembles the hilum of a seed, and a lid at one end is 
pushed off by the emerging larva, which is three-tenths of an inch long, 

The Aneiteumese name of this insect is “ Naling.” It is said to be 
found on the trunks of trees. I have had only three full-grown indi- 
viduals brought me, all females containing fully developed eggs. The 
specific name is intended to commemorate the occasional assistance 
rendered me by Miss Geddie while collecting here, more especially as 


this is one of her contributions. 
Joun MacGILLivRay. 


Eagle and Wolf.—Our road led us in sight of the Putrid Sea. We met several 
herds of cattle, flocks of large birds, and some large eagles. Wolves are very common 
in these steppes, and they are so buld that they sometimes attack travellers, We 
passed by a large one lying on the ground with an eagle, which had probably attacked 
him, by his side; its talons were nearly buried in his back: in the struggle both had 
died.—‘ Stephen G'rellett's Memoirs,’ vol. i. p. 459. 

Child attacked by an Eagle. —The wife of Zeller devoted herself in very early life 
to the Lord, and in this she appears to be faithful in endeavouring to perforth her 
solemn vow. When about five years old she was playing on some of the rocky hills of 
the country; one of their large eagles saw her, and darted down upon her head: a man 
with a gun, vot far distant, watched the motions of the eagle, but did not see the 
child; he fired and killed the bird at the very moment of his darting upon the child’s 
head; great was his surprise, on coming tu the spot, to find the dead eagle by the side 
of the child. The deep wounds made by his talons in her head show what a narrow 
escape she had frum the voracious bird, and from being wounded or killed by the 
gun. This dear woman considers that her life, thus spared, is. to be wholly devoted. to 


Birds. 7148 


the service of God.—Id., vol. ii. p. 341. Both communicated by Samuel Gurney, 
Esq., M.P. 

Late stay of the Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) in Cambridgeshire.—I have just beet 
put in possession of the latest date that I ever knew ofa fieldfare being shot in this 
county before—i.e. the 9th of May: with us they usually depart some time in April; 
I never before knew or heard of one being seen after that time here.—S. P. Saville ; 
Jesus Ferrace, Cambridge ; May 18, 1860. 

Anecdote of a Robin.—It is considered by the superstitious a bad omen to be 
followed by a robin. Mr. N. said the first Lady Albemarle had been feeding some 
little birds at her window, and one robin in particular had constantly attended her. 
Lady A. had left her own home on a visit to Mr. Cooke, of Holkham. The next 
Morning a robin flew upon Lady A. as she was seated at the breakfast-table: she 
exclaimed instantly, ‘Oh, that is my robin! it has followed me from my home (about 
fifty miles distant). I am sure it is sent to warn me of death, and I shall die.” Very 
soon afterwards she met with an accident, and died whilst at Holkham.— Extracted 
from a private journal, and communicated by Samuel Gurney, Esq.. M.P. 

Escaped Canary breeding.—We had a pair of canaries,—young birds of last year, 
—the hen of which escaped about three weeks ago. We heard of her as being seen 
by some boys in the woods, but she would vot allow herself to be caught. Yesterday, 
however, she was caught on her nest, but was so roughly handled that she died before 
reaching us. The nest was in a thick hedgerow; it was formed of roots and dried 
grass, lined inside with feathers and down from her own breast, which was quite 
denuded. She was sitting on three eggs, which do not seer to differ from the egp's 
usually laid by canaries in confinement. It is probable, therefore, that she had paired 
with her companion, although we were not aware that she had done so previous to her 
escape.—P. H. Newnham ; Bagshot, July 10, 1860. 

Tree Sparrows.— During the winter of 1858-9 we had great numbers of the tree 
sparrow all around Worthing. Many fields were covered with them. They disap- 
peared in the spring. In no other winter since I have been here have we had them 
in such numbers, although we have had some stragglers each winter.”— Robert Gray ; 
Worthing, May, 1860. In reply to an inquiry Mr. Gray informs me that, being well 
acquainted with the tree sparrow, he was able to single them out from the others when 
flushed, and so shot several, of which he retained one specimen. Mr. Knox says 
(‘ Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,’ p. 206), the tree sparrow is scarce in Sussex, but 
that probably it has frequently escaped observation. He tov notices it being a winter 
visitor. Yarrell (‘ British Birds,’ first edition) does not mention the bird as known to 
be found in either Sussex or Kent, but in the latter county I certainly killed tree 
sparrows at my native place (on the berder of Sussex) between forty and fifty years 
ago, I believe, though at the period knowing and caring too little about Natural 
History to take much notice of the variety, or to attempt tracing the extent of its 
range. However, I have no doubt tree sparrows were (and-are?) indigenous in that 
district, because nests were common in the outside of thatched reofs (see Yarrell, as 
above, p. 470), and the birds I shot belonged to one of the large flocks which always 
assemble round stubble fields immediately after harvest. Since this variety of sparrow 
has been so long overlouked in our neighbourhood, I fully anticipate that it will prove 
to be far more generally distributed than has been and is now supposed.—Arthur 
Hussey ; Rottingdean, May 19, 1860. 

Migration of, and Trade in, Goldfinches.—I have transcribed the following from a 
letter recently received. Having known the writer from his boyhood to this time, now 


7144 Birds. 


above twenty-eight vears, I can vouch for his being not only a very intelligent person, 
but also that his statements may be fully relied upon.—Jd. “TI have for the last four 
or five years been watching the bird-catching boys, owing to my hearing that they 
sent from this neighbourhood some four or five hundred dozens of goldfinches 
each year in October. Not giving credit to such a statement, I have come to the con- 
clusion that it is true nevertheless, for there have been annually from ten to twenty 
boys and men with their nets within a walk of Worthing, and I have seen one catch 
from twenty to forty ina morning; they have even caught over one hundred, if they 
speak true. Supposing they caught upon an average twenty each per day, it would 
amouut to more than I have stated. One told me he knew eight hundred dozen were 
sent in six weeks from Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing. I cannot speak beyond 
Worthing, and certainly these bird-catchers do always get a new suit of clothes every 
November, and also seem to have money to spend at the publie-houses for a long time 
afterwards. Inquiring among (these men) I find they are all of the same opinion, 
that the goldfinches migrate. This I have found no mention of in any work that 
has fallen in my way. My own opinion is that in passing Worthing they go along 
the coast from west to east, very straggling, but very continuous and regular, for a 
inonth or six weeks. The male birds fetch from four to six shillings per dozen in 
London ; the hens about two shillings.’"—Robert Gray ; Worthing, May, 1860. 
Additional particulars of the Trade in Goldfinches.—In a statement I have 
received from one of the bird-catchers here, he gives the enormous number of 13,848 
goldfinches per annum as sent from Worthing alone, but the calculation is so made 
that it may be somewhat fallacious. Only four of the catchers send the birds to 
London, these men taking what the others catch at the rate of four shillings per dozen. 
For their own protection in settling accounts with the London purchasers the above 
four are obliged to enter in a book the numbers sent. I applied to the most respectable. 
among them, and he has his book still, but two have not kept theirs, so that I could 
not obtain the numbers correctly; but this young man said he knew exactly how 
many went out catching, so reckoning each man’s take to be equal to those whose 
birds he sent to London, it gives the prodigious number before mentioned. The birds 
are sold to the dealers in London at five shillings per dozen the males and two 
shillings the females (but few of the latter are ever sent, males alone being wanted), 
which gives a sum of about £288 per annum. This appears to me almost fabulous, 
yet I must say I have tried for the last three years to disprove it, and cannot; all I 
have seen goes more to confirm the fact than to weaken it.—Id.; May 24, 1860. 
Trade in Goldfinches: copy of Bird-catcher’s Statement.—Average (?) of goldfinches 

caught at Worthing in a year :— 

January, February and March : : . None. 

April. : ‘ : . : : - about 4 dozens. 

May : S é , - 2 ; 3 by LO 


June : ‘ 4 : : ; ; . None. 

July ‘ ; 5 i : : o ORY abouts aa ee 
August . : ci : é i 4 Loven 
September. Z E , ; : : Fs QO Tis 
October . ‘ é ; : ‘ . jy) TETSOrE 
November ; 4 ; . : : . sy OO Dees 
December : : : : : ‘ - 3 ee OU eee 

1154 


- -Arthur Hussey; Rottingdean, May 25, 1860. 


Birds. 7145 


Note on the supposed Occurrence of the Hirundo bicolor of North America in 
England.*—I venture to send for exhibition a skin of the North American Hirundo 
bicolor of Vieillot, which was formerly the property of my late very good friend 
Mr, John Wolley, and which there can be little doubt was obtained from a bird killed 
in this country, though Mr. Woolley, with that admirable caution which distinguished 
him in recording the reported occurrence (Zool. 3806), was careful to mention that 
there was ‘“‘a possibility of mistake” in the matter. I think that perhaps some 
members of the Society will view this specimen with a certain amount of interest; but, 
apart from this, my object in its exhibition is mainly to draw the attention of natu- 
ralists to a matter which is every day becoming of greater consequence to those 
ornithologists who chiefly occupy themselves with the Avi-fauna of any one district. 
I refer to the occurrence within particular limits of Stray examples of exotic species. 
It is not only “ British bird” students who find in these alien immigrants a great 
cause of perplexity: To whatever country we go, we are, perhaps before we have well 
ascertained the number of the bond fide species, puzzled by some wanderer turning up 
exactly where he was least wanted. In my own opinion, the ornithologist must 
accept his position with all its responsibilities; he chooses to study a class of beings, 
some of whom, for all sublunary purposes at least, are blest with almost infinite powers 
of locomotion. He must, therefore, not complain if in the course of a morning's walk 
here in England, an Australian swift flies in his face, or he picks up a dead crossbill 
of a Transatlantic species; and he must invuke no Deus ex machina in the shape of 
an auxiliary-screw clipper or a careless aviary-keeper to account for the incident. 
Facts like these hardly admit of a doubt, and force themselves day by day more and 
More upon the notice of the thoughtful naturalist. For some time, indeed, European 
ornithologists have been accustomed to regard the properly authenticated appearance 
of an exotic species, which there may be good reason to suppose have reached our 
Shores without intentional human aid, as sufficient ground for including it in the list 
of our birds. But as observers have of late so largely increased, so have these occur- 
reuces been more frequently noticed; and it seems absvlutely necessary tu prescribe 
some limit to prevent our really native species from being outnumbered by these 
foreigners, The difficulty is to know where to draw the line; and to this point 
I would invite the careful consideration of naturalists. It may be all very well to call 
_Thalassidroma Wilsoni and Mergus cucullatus European birds; but because a single 
‘individual of Regulus calendulus or Dendreea virens has reached the Old World, it 
is absurd to include either of those species in its Fauna. I cite these instances, be- 
eause they are all from that continent whence most of our occasional visitants arrive; 
‘sv much so, that one is almost driven to the conclusion that there is no prima facie 
‘Teason why examples of the greater number of birds of Eastern North America should 
Not, favente zephyro (the prevailing strong wind in Western Europe), make their ap- 
pearance on our shores in cuurse of time. Then, on the other hand, the last two addi- 
tions to the list of so-called “ British birds” have beeu from the opposite quarter. Are 
| Syrrhaptes paradoxus and Xema ichthyaétus to take their places in the books eluci- 
| dating British Ornithology by the side of the red grouse and the peewit gull? It 
| appears to me that we gain nothing by deferring a decision on the subject, and 


& 


_—_— 


_ * From the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London,’ F ebruary 28, 1860, 
and obligingly communicated by the author. 


XVIII. SZ 


q 


7146 Birds, &. 


T trust that these remarks will not be deemed unnecessary by those who are competent 
to deal with the matter.— Alfred Newton ; Elvedon, February 28, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Whimbrel (Numenius pheopus) in Cambridgeshire—A friend 
of mine has sent me a fine specimen of the whimbrel, which he shot at Caldecot, in 
this county, on the 4th of May, 1860. ‘The whimbrel may be considered an un- 
common bird in Cambridgeshire, only one or a pair occasionally occurring, and then 
in some of our fenny districts, or more commonly in a turnip field, the young tops of 
which it is particularly partial to.—S. P. Saville ; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge. 


Loads falling in a Shower of Rain. —1 was out insect-catching by the side of the 
river Waveney, about a quarter-past 9 on Friday night, when a thunder-storm came 
on. I ran for shelter to the buildings at Aldeby Hall. The rain came down in tor- 
rents. Just before I was clear of the fens I observed some small toads on my arms, 
and several fell in my net, and on the ground and paths there were thousands. I am 
quite sure there were none in my net before I started, as I took a Leucania pudorina 
out of it. I believe they fell with the rain out of the clouds. Can you enlighten me 
on the subject? Two other persons have told me that they met with the same occur- 
rence some distance from the spot in which I was situated.—W. Winter; Aldeby, 
July 23, 1860. 

[I believe I have rather a disagreeable tendency to smile at showers of fish, frogs 
and toads; and my correspondent appears to have an idea that I shall be incredu- 
lous: nevertheless, I feel it a duty to insert this communication, simply remarking 
that the fact of toads covering the pathways and ground is by no means corroborative 
of the supposition that “ they fell with the rain out of the clouds:” I think rather the 
reverse.—Edward Newman.] 


Gossip on Spiders. By R. H. Means, Esq. 


SEVERAL years have passed away since I first endeavoured to excite 
an interest in the study of British spiders through the medium of the 
‘Zoologist ; and though the difficulties attending the investigation of 
the subject (the principal of which has been the want of any English 
systematic work upon these animals) have prevented my attempts 
from meeting with all the success I could have desired, yet, judging 
from the numerous communications that I have received at different 
times from naturalists in almost all parts of the United Kingdom, the 
seed sown has borne some fruit. 1am proud to think that I have 
been the means of inducing one or two entomologists to take up 
Arachnology in earnest, and have thus indirectly tended to advance 
our knowledge of English spiders. I may especially mention the 
name of my friend Mr. Pickard-Cambridge, who has himself dis- 


Ayachnida. 7147 


covered, during the last two or three.years, more new British species 
than had been added to the list for many years before. 

I am happy to know that the greatest impediment to the advance- 
ment of my favourite pursuit is on the point of being removed ; for 
the long-promised work on British spiders, by Mr. Blackwall, is at 
last in the press, and the first volume will, I hope, very soon be pub- 
lished by the Ray Society, with numerous and accurate figures by 
Mr. Tuffin West. As soon as this appears, naturalists will no longer 
have any excuse for neglecting these most interesting objects of study. 

In my earliest communications to the ‘Zvologist’ I entered into the 

subject of preserving spiders; and the further experience of years has 
fully confirmed me in still advocating the plan I first proposed, viz., 
that of putting up specimens in small glass tubes filled with spirits of 
wine. For the larger specimens I use the ordinary rectified spirit of 
the druggists, and for small species two. parts of this mixed with one 
part of water. The only alteration I have adopted is in having the 
tubes converted into small bottles, by the formation of a slight con- 
striction or neck near the mouth, so that the cork can be compressed 
and the rapid evaporation of the spirit prevented. 
1 preserved some specimens for three or four years in a strong 
solution of sulphate of magnesia; and with a few it answered ad- 
mirably, but in most cases | found the colours to become dark and 
altered in the course of time. I put up a number of species in this 
saline solution, and gave them to the Entomological Society of Lon- 
don five years ago, but I have not seen them since, and should be 
much obliged if some member who has the opportunity would inspect 
them, and let me know how they have kept. 

During the last two or three years I have had but few oppor- 
tunities of searching for new British spiders, and consequently have 
no new captures to record; and, as far as | have had the means of 
forming a judgment on the subject, J am of opinion that the nnusual 
drought of the last two summers has been very unfavourable to 
spider life. I spent a few days during the summers of both 1858 and 
1859 in a locality in Oxfordshire which I had found particularly rich 
asa collecting-ground on previous occasions, and in both the seasons 
I could scarcely find a spider. Vegetation was very much dried up, 
and the spiders seemed to have evaporated along with the moisture. 
Mr. Blackwall tells me that he also noticed this scarcity ; and Mr. 
N. B. Ward (the well-known author of ‘ Observations on the Growth 
of Plants in Closely-glazed Cases’), when I met him at the Leeds 
Meeting of the British Association, said he had particularly remarked 


7148 Arachnida. 


that spiders delighted in moisture, and were most abundant in wet 
seasons. 

Having mentioned the British Association, IT may perhaps be 
allowed briefly to allude to a paper which I read at the Leeds 
Meeting in 1858 (which has since been printed in the ‘ Reports’), on 
the Anatomy of the Spinning Organs of Spiders. There had long been 
a difference of opinion among naturalists as to the power which 
spiders possessed of shooting out their webs. Some thought that 
they had the power of propelling a thread from their spinnarets with 
great force and in any direction, and that it was in this way that the 
filaments of gossamer are formed, and also that threads are stretched 
between trees divided by a stream of water. On the contrary, others, 
among whom I may particularly mention Mr. Blackwall, were of 
opinion that all floating threads must have been drawn out of the spin- 
narets by a current of air, the spider only emitting a little viscid fluid, 
and taking advantage of any breath of air that may arise. On care- 
fully dissecting the abdominal organs I found that the glandular sacs 
which secrete the strong threads in question are all furnished with a 
highly contractible fibrous coat, which also surrounds the ducts con- 
veying the silky fluid to the spinnarets. This coat bears some resem- 
blance to the fibrous coat of the arteries in man and the higher 
animals, and, in my opinion, must enable the spider to eject the fluid 
forming the threads with considerable violence. 

Rambling on from one subject to another, we now come to a dis- 
covery which has lately been made in the history of spider life, viz., 
that a small species lives in large numbers, in a gregarious or social 
state, in the deep subterranean galleries of some of our northern col- 
lieries, where it spins extensive sheets of web. The existence of 
masses of web-like tissue has long been known in these localities, and 
has before attracted the attention of naturalists; but though these 
masses have been suspected by some to be the production of spiders, 
they have generally been looked upon as the mycelia or filamentous 
portions of Fungi. In the beginning of February last, however, I 
received a small spider from Mr. Stainton, with the request that I 
would determine its name. It had been sent to him by Mr. Morison, 
of Pelton Colliery, Chester-le-Street, Durham, with the information 
that it was the fabricator of the webs in question. The spider which 
I received was not quite an eighth of an inch in Jength, of a yellowish 
brown colour, and had become dry and shrivelled. It belonged to 
the genus Neriéne, but in its dried state it was impossible to deter- 
mine its specific name. I was very sceptical as to the power of such 


| 


¥ 
iy 
3 


Arachnida. 7149 


a minute creature to fabricate such immense sheets of web as were 
described, and was even doubtful whether they were animal pro- 
ductions at all, not having had an opportunity of examining them. 
I expressed these doubts to Mr. Stainton, and said at the same time 
that the latter point might easily be settled by looking at some of the 
so-called web with the microscope. 

Shortly after this I had the pleasure of hearing from Mr. Morison 
himself, who sent me a living specimen of the spider, and a portion of 
web wound round a piece of wood. I immediately found that this 
was genuine spider’s web, which had become much blackened by 
coal-dust; and adhering to it were numerous minute scales from the 
wings of small moths (Tineide ?), which had evidently been the food 
of the spiders. The spider itself was an adult specimen of Neriéne 
errans, a small species which had been described by Mr. Blackwall 
in the ‘Linnean Transactions’ (vol. xviii. p. 643), and hitherto had 
only been found by him occasionally in the fields in Lancashire and 
North Wales. To be quite certain regarding the identity of the spe- 
cies 1 obtained several more specimens from Mr. Morison, comprising 
both adult males and females, and submitted some of them to Mr. 
Blackwall for his opinion, which coincided with my own. They 


slightly differed in colour from the ordinary above-ground specimens 


of Neriéne errans, being of a more dusky tint, but that was probably 
owing to the dark nature of the locality in which they had lived. 
Mr. Morison stated to me that the pit (named the Pelton Colliery) in 
which these spiders were found is 320 feet below the surface of the 
ground, and also that seventy-five horses and ponies are employed in 
it. He suggests that the insects upon which the spiders live are pro- 
bably introduced with the fodder for the horses; and perhaps the 
spiders themselves were taken down in the first instance in the same 
manner. 

The spiders are met with in the portions of the pit which are not 
at present being worked, and the webs are generally spun in galleries, 
through which little or no air passes. When a rent has been made 
in one of the webs, the little spiders may be counted by scores toge- 


ther, repairing the damage. In one of his letters to me Mr. Morison 


says, “ On passing through the portion of our under-ground workings, 
Jast night, in which these webs abound, | observed that the gaps I 
had made in the webs on my last visit to that quarter were being spun 


- over again; and on one of them I counted twenty-three or twenty- 
four little spiders busily engaged in mending the rent.” 


It is quite a new trait in the character of spiders that a number of 


7150 Arachnida. 


small individuals should combine together in the adult state to fabri- 
cate large webs. The great cobwebs formed in our cellars and out- 
houses are always constructed by large spiders (such as Tegenaria 
civilis or Ciniflo similis), which, though living in close proximity to 
many neighbours, have each their own web and separate retreat, in 
which they watch for their prey. This tribe of animals, however, 
seems endowed with peculiar sagacity, which enables them to adapt 
themselves to new circumstances, and to acquire new habits. In 
support of this remark I will adduce another illustration, which I will 
give in the graphic words of my friend Mr. Edwin Birchall, by whom 
the fact was particularly pointed out to me, though I had noticed it 
before receiving the letter in which he says :—“ Did you ever observe 
how spiders frequent lamp-posts ? The habits of the tribe, lovers of 
darkness (no doubt because their deeds are evil), would not lead me 
1o expect them in such a locality; so I conclude they go, not because 
they are attracted by the light, but because moths are. If this is so, 
is it not a curious development of instinct? I have constantly found 
not only webs stretched across the glass, but large fellows lying per- 
dus in the corners of the lamp waiting for prey. J cannot compre- 
hend how a spider travelling along a road can arrive at the conclusion 
that he will find a sinner at the top of a lamp-post, or the develop- 
ment of such a marvellous instinct since the era of lamps. If it be 
not reason, it is surely very much like it.” The spider that I have 
noticed in this situation has been Epeira similis. 

I have one more circumstance to mention in reference to the eco- 
nomy of spiders, and then | will bring this gossip to an end for the 
present. On the 16th of March last I received from Mr. E. Parfitt, of 
Taunton, a large nest of Agelena labyrrnthica, which he had found 
attached to the bare twigs of a hedge. It consisted of a sac of com- 
pact white silk, containing two or three cocoons, as is usually the 
case in the nest of this spider. Mr. Parfitt had never noticed it 
before, and sent it to me thinking it might be rare or curious. This 
species is very common in many localities, but the point of interest 
attached to the nest was, that on its arrival at my house it contained 
a number of small spiders already hatched. I placed it in a box with 
a glass top, where these little creatures continued to live and spin 
their webs, for a period of seven or eight weeks, without obtaining 
any kind of food. | During this time they did not appear to grow, or 
undergo any alteration in shape. I thought it rather an extraordinary 
circumstance that the eggs of this spider should be hatched so early, 
and particularly in such an inclement season as the last, and won- 


Entomological Society. 7151 


dered what food the young spiders could find to live upon, unless 
something had been provided for them by their parent in the cocoons. 
On looking into Mr. Blackwall’s ‘ Catalogue’ I found no mention of 
the time at which the young spiders usually appear; neither is there 
any information on the subject in Walckenaer; but on referring to 
Martin Lister’s ‘Tractatus de Araneis,’ published in 1678, I found 
my observation fully confirmed. He says that he kept the eggs of 
this spider (described under titulus xviii.) in a box all the winter, for 
the purpose of watching them, and found that the young spiders 
emerged from the eggs in February, and continued to live without 
alteration and without any food until the middle of April, when he 


allowed them to escape. 


R. H. MeEape. 
Bradford, June 21, 1860. 


Proceedings of Societies. 


Entomooetcat Society. 
July 2, 1860.—J. W. Dovatas, Esq., President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors: —‘ Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,’ vol. v. No. 17 ; 
presented by the Society. ‘The Zoologist’ for July; by the Editor. ‘The Athe- 
neum’ for May ; by the Editor. 


Election of a Subscriber. 


-C. Miller, Esq., 17, Silurian Terrace, Dalston, was balloted for, and elected a Sub- 
scriber to the Society. 
Exhibitions. 


Mr. Stevens exhibited a portion of a collection of drawings of European Lepi- 
doptera, in which the wings were formed by transferring the scales from the wings of 
the insects by a process not ascertained, the bodies and limbs being afterwards beauti- 
fully drawn in water-colours. Mr, Stevens stated that the entire collection was con- 
tained in seven portfolios, and comprised nearly the whole of the European Micro- 
Lepidoptera ; it had been formed in Germany, by the labour of a lifetime, and now 
sent to England to be disposed of at a very moderate price. 

The specimens exhibited were much admired by the Members present, some of 
whom stated they nad tried various modes of transferring the scales of Lepidoptera to 
paper, but with very unsatisfactory results. 

Mr. Janson exhibited the following Coleoptera, taken at Rannoch by Mr. C. 
Turner, viz., Otiorhynchus septentrionis, Herbst, Scolytus Ratzeburgii, Janson, Mag- 
dalinus carbonarius, Fab., Rhagonycha paludosa, Fallen. 


7152 Insects. 


Mr. Janson also exhibited a specimen of Homalota subterranea, Mulsant., a spe- 
cies only hitherto detected in France, which he had found at Mickleham, Surrey, on 
the 23rd ult., under a stone, in a nest of Formica fiava. He also exhibited Ischno- 
glossa rufopicea and Conosoma bimaculatum, found beneath bark of oaks at Colney 
Hatch. 

Mr. McLachlan exhibited a fine specimen of Chrosis Audouiana, lately caught at 
Darenth Wood,; Kent. 

Mr. Douglas exhibited the following Coleoptera, found in the sap exuding from 
the perfurations formed in oaks by the larva of Cossus ligniperda, viz., Cryptar- 
clus imperialis, Epurea 10-guttata, Tachinus bipustulatus, Homalota cinnamomea, 
A. hospita, and Omalium planum. He also exhibited Conopalpus testaceus, bred 
from rotten oak-branches from Richmond Park. 

The Rev. H. Clark sent for distribution amongst the Members specimens of Lac- 
cophilus variegatus, Germ., taken by him at Pevensey in June last. 

Mr. Lewis exhibited specimens of Thiasophila inquilina, found at Charlton in 
nests of Formica fuliginosa. Mr. Lewis remarked that he had, at the Meeting of the 
Society held on the 2nd of April last, exhibited a specimen of Telephorus atra, L., 
and stated it to be a species unrecorded as British ; but he had since found that it 
had been long before included by Mr. Murray in his ‘Catalogue of Scottish Co- 
leoptera.’ 


The Secretary read a letter from R. J. L. Guppy, Esq., Port of Spain, Trinidad, 
on the habits of an insect allied to, if not identical with, Ranatra linearis of Europe, 
which he had found in streams in that island.—£. S. 


Occurrence of Acherontia Atropos near Banff.— A specimen of this insect was 
taken at the end of June, by some school-children. The species is somewhat rare 
in this quarter. Is not June an early date for it to be abroad ?— Thomas Edward ; 
Banff, July 2, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia pumilata.—Short and stumpy, tapering 
slightly towards the head. Ground-colour pale yellowish olive, reddish olive or rusty 
red. Central dorsal line dusky olive, almost black. Down the centre of the back a 
chain of dusky arruw-shaped spots, more or less distinct, and becoming merged in the 
dorsal line on the anterior and posterior segments. On each side a broad ribbon-like 
stripe, yellowish in the middle, dusky at the edges. The dorsal spots bordered inter- 
ruptedly with yellow. Spiracular line yellowish. The larve from which the foregoing 
description was taken were reared from eggs sent me by Mr. Hellins, at the end of 
May, and fed on flowers of Anthriscus sylvestris. They were full-fed at the end of 
June, and the first perfect insect appeared July 16. Mr. H. tells me he has reared 
the larva on flowers vf Clematis. The pupa, which is enclosed in a slight earthen 
cocoon, has the thorax and wing-cases pale yellow ; abdomen short, yellow ; tip red, 
divisions slightly so. The perfect insect appears in April and May, and again in 
July and August.—H. Harpur Crewe ; Horndean, July 18, 1860, 


Insects. 7153 


Habits of Macroglossa stellatarum.—I was much interested, the other day, in 
watching a female of the above species depositing her eggs; the locality she 
selected was a high bank on the road-side. My attention was first. directed to her 
movements by a loud humming noise. She flew in and out of the herbage in a very 
busy manner, occasionally alighting for a moment, and then off again. I immediately 
suspected that she was depositing her eggs, and upon careful examination found that 
such was the fact: by following her about I soon succeeded in obtaining a small 
quantity. I am unfortunately no botanist, and caunot therefore give the scientific 
name of the plant she selected, but it will probably be known to most of your readers 
as “robin-run-the-hedge.” I was not aware that the larva fed on this plant. Nothing 
could be more interesting than to watch the unerring instinct with which she picked 
out the right plant from the quantity of herbage covering the bank. It was very dif- 
ficult to follow her motions: the whole operation was like a flash of lightning.— 
Joseph Greene ; Ringwood, Hants. 

Abundant occurrence of Sesia Musceformis ? near Torquay.—Scarcely any of my 
readers are old enough as entomologists to recollect that twenty-eight years ago I 
published, in the ‘ Entomological Magazine,’ a little Monograph of the Species of 
Sesia found in England, and that I added to the usual list two species, with descrip- 
tions from single specimens. One of them appeared under the name Musceformis, 
from a single specimen taken a few miles from Torquay, and at that time in the 
hands of the late James Francis Stephens. This insect has been taken in abundance 
during the present summer on the Devonshire coast, settling on the blossoms of the 
wild thyme, at a distance of about fifteen miles from Torquay. With regard to the 
name some little difference of opinion appears to prevail: the names of Tenthredi- 
formis, Hylziformis, Sapygiformis (J. J. Reading), Philanthiformis (G. King), and 
Braconiformis (G. Wailes), have been very confidently applied. I am not certain of 
the authorities for these names or of their dates: my name of Musceformis dates from 
Esper, 1777, but it is also described in a work quoted by Treitschke and others under 
the name of ‘ Vieweg. Tab. Verz.,’ with which I am unacquainted; the description is 
referred to as at vol. i. p. 18, species 9. Owing probably to the somewhat unskilful 
mode in which these insects have been captured there are none in sufficiently good 
condition for me to draw up a very precise description at present; I may, however, 
remark that the number of pale rings on the abdomen is three only, instead of five: 
the margin of every abdominal segment is glittering and appears pale, but I am con- 
vinced would not be so in perfect specimens: the indistinct whitish annulus on the 
antenne of the female distinguishes this from all cognate species.—E. Newman. 

Food-plant of the Larva of Eupithecia rufifasciata—In addition to to the food- 
plants mentioned by the Revs. J. Hellins and Crewe of the larva of this species I may 
name the common broom. I do not, however, think that this is its favourite pabulum. 
Being at the time ignorant of the species, I searched diligently, but could only find 
about a dozen, all of which were on a single plant. I discovered two or three pupe 
spun up in the leaves.—J. Greene ; Ringwood, Hants, August 10, 1860. 

Dicranura bicuspis.—On the 20th of June I went out for a day’s entomologizing ; 
when I had fairly gained the hunting-ground where I intended to commence 
operations the rain began to come down in torrents, so of course I concluded that to 
make the best of my way back was my wisest course, and commenced my retreat 
accordingly ; but in turning to shelter under some alders I was both surprised and 
delighted to see a beautiful specimen of a male Dicranura bicuspis sitting on the 


XVIII. 3A 


7154 Insects. 


trunk of one of the alders, immediately above its pupa-case; I immediately proceeded 
to box it, considering myself as lucky as I had a few moments before considered 
myself unlucky. This is the second specimen of D. bicuspis which has fallen to my 
lot, having taken a pupa from an alder in 1858, but, unfortunately, being from home 
when it emerged, it had so beat itself about that I had some doubts as to its being a 
bona fide D. bicuspis.—T. Meldrum; Millgate, Ripon.—From the ‘ Intelligencer.’ 

Capture of Acronycta Alni at Sugar.—On the 23rd of June I had the good 
fortune to take a fine specimen of Acronycta Alni at sugar, in Haw Park, near 
Walton Hall.—Charles Roberts ; Elm Street, Wakefield, July 3, 1860.—Id. 

Larve of Caradrina cubicularis.—At the end of May last, upon removing some 
logs of wood which had supported a hay-stack, I observed, in the crevices, the signs 
of acocoon. Upon splitting one of the logs a number of larve fell out. They were 
dirty white, with a few black dots, and about an inch in length. I entertained little 
doubt that they belonged to the genus Caradrina; but as I had never seen any of the 
larve of that genus I took one of the logs into my insect-room, and in due time my 
conjecture proved correct, the larva producing Caradrina cubicularis. They go very 
deep into the crevices, and spin a toughish cocoon*mixed with abraded wood. The 
above would not be worth mentioning were it not that so little is known of the habits 
of this and other allied genera.—J. Greene; Ringwood, Hants, August 10, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Teniocampa Populeti.— This larva seems to be little 
known among entomologists generally, and perhaps an accurate description, taken 
from living larve, may be acceptable to the readers of the ‘ Zoologist.? Ground- 
colour pale green, back whitish. Dorsal lines three, white, the central one broad and 
distinct, the two others narrow and indistinct. Head buff, when young blackish. 
Segmental divisions yellowish. Spiracles enclosed between two narrow waved whitish 
lines. Body sparingly strewed with whitish hairs. Feeds between united leaves of 
various species of poplar, preferring that known as the black Italian. Full-fed 
throughout the month of June. In habits and appearance this larva closely resem- 
bles that of T. subtusa, and when young may easily be mistaken for it. The pupa 
resembles that of T. gothica.—H. Harpur Crewe; Horndean, Hants, July 18, 1860. 

Occurrence of Agrotera nemoralis in Sussex.—I took a specimen of this species last 
month, on the wing, at Woodsdale, near Battle—John Porter, jun. ; Lewes, June 16, 
1860.—From the ‘ Intelligencer, 

[Has any entomologist acquainted with Agrotera nemoralis seen and named 
this specimen? The species is of great rarity— Edward Newman.] 

Exeretia Allisella Bred.— Seeing a notice in the ‘ Entomologist’s Intelligencer ’ 
of yesterday, by Mr. Stainton, that he had bred E. Allisella from larve sent him by 
Mr. Gregson on the 28th of May last, in which Mr. Stainton remarks, that from the 
tendency of the perfect insect to go greasy in collections the economy of the larve as 
a stem-borer might have been deduced, I send the following observations. Mr. Stainton 
is perfectly right in his remark, and of this I was long since satisfied, but amongst 
such a mass of weeds of various kinds it was difficult to asvertain in which of the 
plants it did bore, and, although I have sought diligently for the last four years, it 
was not till the 2nd of last May that I succeeded in finding it, not by seeing the stem 
bored in the first instance, but by observing one of the young shoots of the Artemisia 
in quite a drooping state. I at once suspected the cause, and took out my knife, cut 
the stem and the small bore off, and soon discovered the larve. After taking about a 
score I left the remainder, which were seen now, as the sprouts were just springing 


Insects. 7155 


from the old roots, and were from two to three inches high. A week after the damaged 
sprouts were completely hid by their more vigorous fellows, and no one could have 
found them from any visible evidence in the plant without being told. I told Mr. 
Gregson about a fortnight or three weeks after, and in a few days he came to War- 
rington and went to the place, and, knowing it was there, of course found it. The 
larve on the 2nd of May were about half-grown, and must, I think, have hybernated, 
as I could not see any borings in the old roots. The colour was pale brown with three 
rows of black dots on each side, their position subdorsal, lateral and spiracular. On 
examining a full-grown larva I found the space below the lateral line greenish. The 
first imago emerged on the 29th of last month, since which date I have had eight more 
out.—James Cooper ; Museum, Warrington, July 15, 1860. 

Larva of Diplodoma marginepunctella carnivorous—I have in my possession a 
larva of the above species, which I found at West Wickham last May, and, since 
I have had it, it has eaten one Tortrix, several common house-flies and some few 
Micros. I have never given it any green food, but kept it solely on insects, which it 
has greedily devoured.—C. Healy ; 74, Napier Street, Hoxton, N., August 9, 1860.— 
From the ‘ Intelligencer.’ 

Larva of Taleporia pseudo-bombycella carnivorous.—I have also a larva of this 
species, which, after eating two house-flies and one’male T. pseudo-bombycella, has 
fastened one wing of the deceased T. pseudo-bombycella to the top of its case, where 
it stands bolt upright, giving the case a very comical appearance.—Id. 

Coleophora vibicella.—On the 3rd of July, 1859, Mr. John Bradley, of Worcester, 
conveyed some of the larve and pupz of this species from Trench Woods, and dis- 
tributed them amongst Genista tinctoria at Middleyard, near Bransford, Worcester- 
shire: visiting that place on the 3rd instant I found numerous recent cases of the 
larve, and one fine imago.—J. E. Fletcher ; August 7, 1860. 

Observations on Coleophora melilotella.—Only a single example of this insect, for 
which I proposed the above name, has been reared, and this is now on Mr. Stainton’s 
setting-board. It belongs to the same group as C. Frischella, and seems to stand 
intermediate between that species and Deauratella. In the specimen bred the green 
is of a different hue, and should this be the case with thuse captured in their natural 
haunts it will serve as an easy character to distinguish it from the allied species. 
There may be other characters as decided by which it may be recognised at first sight, 
but not having yet had an opportunity of making a minute investigation I leave the 
matter for the present, contenting myself with the fancy that I see C. conspicuella a 
drug and this new one conspicuons.—John Scott ; 13, Torrington Villas, Lee, S.E., 
June 26, 1860.—From the ‘ Intelligencer, 

Larva of Asthenia coniferana.—I have bred A. coniferana from larve furnished 
me by W. Backhouse, Esq. ; they feed in the bark of Scotch fir, turning part of the 
“ frass ” outside ; they are dull yellowish white, with the head pale brown, and with no 
spots. Length about five-eighths of an inch.—John Sang; Darlington, June 1, 
1860.—Id. 

Carpocapsa Reaumurana.—Under this name I have given to many entomologists 
_ specimens of a Carpocapsa bred from chestnuts. It is described and figured by Réau- 
mur, vol. ii. p. 501, pl. 40, fig. 13, 14, 15. It appears to be distinct from C. splendana, 
C. amplana and C. fagiglandana.—Carl von Heyden.—From the ‘ Correspondenzblatt, 
No. 7, p. 55. 

[This larva infests the chestnuts sold in London every year: I found of last year’s 


7156 Insects. 


produce that eighteen out of fifty contained the grub; the perfect insect I have never 
seen alive.—Edward Newman]. 

Ephestia pinguedinella.—It may perhaps interest some of your readers to know 
that Ephestia pinguedinella may now be taken and examined in all its stages, in the 
decayed bark of the ash. The larva, which feeds within the bark, forms a slight 
cocoon, with an opening to the air, and by removing the bark, which has been per- 
forated in every direction by the insect, any number of pupe or of larve may be 
collected from it. Whilst collecting some pupe last week I found the pupe, the larve, 
and the perfect insect depositing her eggs, as it appeared, all within the space of a few 
inches.— Rev. B. H. Birks ; Stonor, Henley-on-Thames.—From the ‘ Intelligencer. 

Hymenoptera in repose.—Since the publication of the Rev. A. R. Hogan’s note 
(‘ Intelligencer,’ No. 193, p. 84) on the singular manner in which Hymenopterous 
insects are in the habit of reposing, three instances have come under my own obser- 
vation, two of which occurred during the eclipse of the sun on Wednesday last: 
wishing to ascertain whether these individuals had settled themselves down for the 
night or whether their slumbers would end with the eclipse, I remained near the spot 
and kept an eye upon them. One had attached itself to the point of a blade of grass 
upwards of six inches in length, and, as a brisk wind was blowing at the time, the 
insect was in consequence contihually being violently swung from side to side, not- 
withstanding which, and the unceasing buffets it received from the stems of the sur- 
rounding plants, it resolutely maintained its hold. No sooner had the eclipse ended, 
and the clouds (which make it an invariable rule to assemble on such occasions) dis- 
persed, than both the insects woke up and were again upon the move, actively pursuing 
their ordinary avocations. Both these and the one I had observed on a previous occa- 
sion were of one species. I have sent one of the individuals to Mr. F. Smith, who 
will doubtless be obliging enough to name the insect. [Nomada ochrostoma].— 
S. Stone; Brighthampton, July 21, 1860.—Id. 

Hymenoptera in repose.—Mr. Stone writes to say that he has sent you a communi- 
cation respecting a singular mode of reposing observed during the eclipse last Wednes- 
day, and desires me to furnish the name of the bee so discovered : it is Nomada ochros- 
toma, a female of the species. I may add that, a fortnight ago, on one of the dull 
mornings,—of which we have had so many lately,—I saw the same species of Nomada 
suspended at the side of Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead. I suspect it is not an uncommon 
mode of reposing, but I never observed it before, although others have, and have pub- 
lished their observations. Mr. Stone asks me to add any observations of my own: 
the above is all I have to record.—F. Smith ; British Museum, July 24, 1860.—Id. 

[I believe I made the first observation on this curious fact in 1832; the species 
were Nomada furva and N. borealis (see Zool. 6468).— Edward Newman.] 

Scarcity of Hymenoptera in 1860.—Bombi have not been so few in number since 
the year 1828 (a season of summer floods); the long frosty season in April and part 
of May kept them back, and the unprecedented wet weather in June destroyed two- 
thirds of the nests begun by the females. I have observed few males of any of the 
species in this neighbourhood ; last summer they abounded, and the males appeared a 
fortnight before their usual time. I have captured one nest of the B. Derbamellus 
with about sixty inhabitants. Up to this day I have not seen one young wasp ; at 
the commencement of May I saw several queen wasps: the wet weather seems to have 
destroyed the greater part of them also; last July and August they abounded in this 
locality. Perhaps some of the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ may make some remarks as 


Insects. 7157 


to how these insects have fared in other places, and whether this scarcity be universal. 
The temperature in June and July has been on an average about 15 degrees below 
the same months last year,—nevertheless, when fine, a delicious temperature for exer- 
cise, being neither too hot nor too cold.—H. W. Newman; Hillside, Cheltenham, 
July 28, 1860. 

Calosoma Sycophanta in the Isle of Wight.—A few days siuce some young friends 
brought me a large beetle to look at, which proved to be no less a prize than a splendid 
Calosoma Sycophanta. It was taken while crawling up the trunk of a tree, in a 
meadow bordering upon the sea-shore at Bembridge, having probably been disturbed 
by the hay-makers, who were then at work in the field. This is, I believe, the third 
instance in which the insect has been observed in the Isle of Wight, single specimens 
having been captured at Bonchurch, in January 1852, and at Freshwater in July, 
1859 (Zool. 3359 and 6656).— A. G. More; Bembridge, July 12, 1860. 

Rhynchites Betuleti.—I have taken both sexes of this beautiful species plentifully 
this year in the two-year-old clearings at Darenth. Early in the season only stragglers, 
and those chiefly males, are to be taken, settling in the sunshine on the leaves of any 
trees, though the hazel and dwarf aspen are their chief haunts. When found on the 
latter the small examples are at first sight hard to distinguish from large specimens of 
R. Populi (both species being variable in size, but they may be separated by looking 
at the under-sides, which in the latter are blue, the whole.body being concolorous in 
R. Betuleti. At the end of June, when coupling, they may be found abundantly by 
examining the top twigs of the hazel bushes, and while doing this a net or umbrella 
must be held underneath, as the insect is crafty withal, and will drop to the ground 
on very little provocation ; in which annoying ‘ dodge,” however, it is surpassed by 
the larger Cryptocephali, which roll over and escape if merely looked at. In very hot 
sunshine the Rhynchites sometimes unfurls its wings very rapidly and flies away, even 
during the short journey from the tree to the net. They appear to bite half through 
the tender stems of the hazel, abuut a couple of inches from the young terminal leaves, 
which shortly wither and hang down, as if damaged by the beating~stick of a collector ; 
and in or upon these apparently unprofitable shoots a male and female will generally 
be detected. When no beetles are found the last leaf is curled up tight with a large 
oblong yellow egg in it. Having never observed more than one egg at a time I pre- 
sume the female deposits on several shoots of the same or different bushes.—£.. C. Rye ; 
284, King’s Road, Chelsea.— From the ‘ Intelligencer. 

Hints to Bug Collectors—As the promised Catalogue of the British Hemiptera 
cannot fail of giving an impetus to bug collecting, the following remarks may not be 
altogether useless, or considered out of place. At this period, and for some time to 
come, the collector will meet with numbers of undeveloped forms, which, if consigned 
at once to the laurel-bottle will be obviously useless as specimens, while if they are 
returned to the bough from which they were beaten or shaken, the chances are that 
when wanted they will not be forthcoming, or, in other words, that the collector will 
never meet with them again,—that is, in the case of species at all rare or scarce. 
What then is the course to be pursued? The plan I have adopted, and which I recom- 
mend to others, is to carry, in addition to the bottle containing bruised laurel leaves, 
one containing unbruised oak-leaves, if I am beating oak ; sprigs of fir, if beating firs ; 
birch, if beating birch, &c. Into this bottle I put al] the immature specimens I am 
desirous of seing become matured. At home I have a large aquarium-glass, to which 
J have hada leno cover made ; in this glass are placed three or four short, squat, wide- 


7158 Insects. 


mouthed bottles containing water, in which I put sprigs from the trees off which my 
specimens were beaten. Here the insects live and thrive as well as they could possibly 
do in their native haunts, care of course being taken not to allow the plants upon which 
they feed to wither or dry up, but to renew them as often as they exhibit a tendency 
to do so; and as a few hours sun every day seems not only to be mightily enjoyed by. 
the insects, but also doubtless greatly favours their development, it would be well to 
give them the benefit of it, in which case the plants should be changed on removing 
the glass into the shade. Although they draw much of their nourishment from the 
young and tender leaves of a plant, they appear to give the preference to the blossoms 
when they can gain access to them. I find maple in flower very attractive, but less 
so than oaks, which are now absolutely swarming with several species. So complete a 
metamorphosis takes place in some of the species that the colour and markings of an 
immature specimen are no guide whatever in determining what the insect will be like 
when matured. To-day you may observe a specimen of an uniform bright rosy pink 
colour, body and wings and all; to-morrow it will be found to have thrown off this 
livery and made its appearance in a sober suit of olive-green and black with just a 
reddish or yellowish tinge on the scutellum and a silvery patch at the tip of the wing. 
—S. Stone ; June 2, 1860.—Id. 

On the Transformation of Lymnophleus marmoratus.—When the pupa of this 
species is about to undergo its final change it quits the pupa-case, which is composed 
of silk and small shells, or little bits of sticks or rushes cut into short lengths and 
arranged transversely ; this case is left at the bottom, or, as it may happen, amongst 
weeds floating on the surface, but those from which my observations were taken were 
at the bottom of my aquarium, so that I had a full view of the creatures’ proceedings. 
When it first quits the pupa-case the antennz are folded back, but are soon outstretched, 
and, as it were, feeling its way through the water. Only four of its six legs are to be 
observed when it first quits the pupa-case; these are the anterior and intermediate pair. 
The posterior pair cannot be seen, as they are folded back beneath the body. This 
appears to differ from the observations recorded in ‘ Westwood’s Modern Classification, 
in reference to Hydropsyche atomaria, Pict., but the generic characters and habits of 
the two may make all the difference. In the species under consideration the inter- 
mediate legs are used as natatorial, and not the posterior; this can only be seen when 
the creature is really shaking off its shroud of a pupa-skin, and as this becomes ruptured 
along the back the posterior legs are observed being drawn out from beneath the body. 
The intermediate or natatorial legs are furnished with long ciliz to enable it to propel 
itself through the water from the bottom upwards to some plant where it can entirely 
rid itself of its skin. When the pupa has reached some leaf, while yet beneath the 
water, it appears to rest for awhile ; the abdomen at the same time is kept in constant 
motion up and down. The pupal envelope or skin is much inflated round the abdo- 
men, and seems only to be attached to the animal at the apex and the minute tubes 
leading to the trachea. These tubes are distinctly seen through the transparent pupal 
skin, and are darker in colour. The apical portion of the wing-cases are free, not as 
those of the Lepidoptera, attached to the sides of the pupa-case ; the free apices are a 
great assistance to the insect when moving through the water. In this way, at every 
stroke of the natatorial legs, the creature is propelled forwards, but from its gravity 
being heavier than the element in which it moves would fall back again. These free 
apices, at every relaxation of the swimming legs, spread out and prevent the creature 
falling back, so that it is enabled to reach the surface. The antenne, which were free 


Insects. 7159 


when the pupa was moving through the water, becomes attached to the skin ; each of 
these organs is laid along the back on either side the dorsal surface, before the tinal 
change takes place. The creature remains stationary for some little time; at length 
an uneasiness is observed with slight convulsions, and a small rupture is seen at the 
vertex of the eyes, and gradually the skin parts along the back, and Lymnophleus 
marmoratus is seen merging into new life. The imago of this species is very variable 
in its coloration ; those which I have bred have scarcely any colour, being almost white 
and transparent; others, again, are highly coloured ; but this species may always be 
distinguished by the anastomasis being dark brown, nearly black: this is a very per- 
manent feature in its specific character.—Edward Parfitt ; Museum, Taunton, July 3, 
1860. 

Expansion of the Wings in Lepidoptera on Emerging from the Chrysalis.—For the 
last few years I have amused myself with observing the development of insect life, and 
amongst other facts that have presented themselves I have been struck with the anxiety 
evinced by Lepidoptera, on emerging from the chrysalis, to find some suitable object 
to climb upon. If nothing is near they will run frantically about in all directions, 
and nothing but absolute exhaustion causes them to cease their exertions. Should 
they meet with a suitable resting place, as a piece of wood, a tree or a wall, they begin 
to ascend, and having reached a position which suits them, at once compose themselves 
to rest and wait the expansion of their wings, which takes place in a most marvellous 
manner, and in a remarkably short space of time. Having at an early period observed 
this particular instinct, I have always provided some suitable contrivance for the 
accommodation of those moths or butterflies the pupe of which I might happen to 
possess, and I have scarcely if ever had a cripple; others are not always so fortunate. 
Last year a friend of mine had a considerable number of pupz of Smerinthus Populi, 
which he had reared from an early stage of existence. They were kept in a pan of 
earth covered with a bell glass, the sides of which the moths could not climb. As they 
emerged every one was crippled in the wings until I suggested setting up on the earth 
under the glass a triangle of three pieces of firewood tied together at the top, that the 
insects might follow their natural instinct ; it was done, and from that time all the 
moths were perfect, having properly developed wings. We constantly hear of collectors 
and breeders of moths and butterflies being disappointed in the result of the pains 
they have taken during many weeks or months, by the production of crippled insects, 
more especially in the case of the large moths, as Acherontia Atropos. Is it not 
probable that this disappointment is due to the absence-of that proper support which the 
Author of their being has rendered necessary for them at this critical stage of their 
existence? Observe a moth or butterfly on its emergence from the chrysalis, and you 
will see that its wings only exist as four little flaps of something soft and thick, as 
much like bits of coloured velvet as anything else ; if you prick them with a needle 
nearly the whole of the juices or blood of the insect flows from the puncture, showing 
how delicate i is their condition, and what an active state of vitality exists in the organs 
which fn an hour after may be punctured with impunity ; hence the anxiety of the 
creature to be securely located as speedily as possible, with the wings in a pendent 
position, in order that the fluid with which they are charged may the more speedily 
and certainly perform its function. — Henry Deane ; Clapham Common, August 20, 
1860. 


7160 Entomological Society. 


Proceedings of Societies. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 


August 6, 1860.—J. W. Dove as, Esq., President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors :—‘ Catalogues of Natural History Collections in the British Museum,’ viz. 
Lepidoptera, Part 1 (Papilio); Hymenoptera, Parts 1 and 2 (Chalcidites); Hymenop- 
tera, Parts 1—7; Diptera, Parts 1—7; Homoptera, Parts 1—4, and Supplement ; 
Hemiptera, Parts 1 and 2; Orthoptera, Part 1; Nomenclature of Coleoptera, Parts 
3, 4 and 6; Coleoptera, Parts 7—9; Coleoptera of Madeira; Coleoptera, Part 1 
(Cucuijde); Hispide ; Neuroptera, Parts 1—4; Neuroptera, Part 1 (Termitina) ; 
British Animals, Parts 5—17; British Hymenoptera, Part 1; British Fossorial 
Hymenoptera ; British Ichneumonide ; British Curculionide ; British Diatomacee ; 
Marine Polyzoa, Parts 1 and 2; Lepidoptera Heterocera, Part 20. ‘ Proceedings of 
the Royal Society,’ vol. x. No. 39; presented by the Society. ‘Journal of the Pro- 
ceedings of the Linnean Society, Supplement to vol. iv. (Zoology) ; by the Society. 
‘Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh,’ vol. i.; by the Society. 
‘Catalogue of British Coleoptera, Sheets K and L; by the Author, G. R. Waterhouse, 
Esq. ‘Exotic Buterflies, Part 35; by W. W. Saunders, Esq. ‘ The Zoologist’ for 
August; by the Editor. ‘The Atheneum’ for July; by the Editor. ‘The Journal of 
the Society of Arts’ for July; by the Society. ‘The Natural History of the Tineina, 
vol. v.; ‘The Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer, Nos. 192—200; by H. T. Stainton, 
Esq. ‘Linnea Entomologica,’ vol. xiv.; by the Entomological Society of Stettin. 


Exhibitions. 


The President exhibited specimens of Stathmopoda pedella, one of the Tineina 
hitherto so extremely rare in our collections that only two or three examples were 
known. He found it in abundance in July in the foliage of alder trees at Lewisham, 
and other persons had also taken it there, so that more than 200 specimens had. been 
captured. Professor Bohemann had recently informed him that this moth was not 
scarce in Sweden, but he was not aware that the larva had been observed since Linneus 

_wrote of it, “ Habitat in Alni foliis subcutanea.” It was to be hoped that with this 
guide to its habits no long time would now elapse before the larva would be re-dis- 
covered. The President called attention to the peculiar position in which the spinose 
hind legs were held in repose—turned under the wings and extended laterally in front 
of them—a peculiarity which had been noticed by Linneus. Even when the moth 
walked, these legs were rarely put down, so that the creature usually walked about by 
means of its other four legs only. 

The President also exhibited a specimen of Phloiotrya rufipes, found one under 

the bark of an old oak at Leatherhead Common. 

Mr. Bond exhibited specimens of a Trochilium, recently taken by Mr. G. King at 

Torquay ; and also some examples of apparently the same species from the collection 

of J. R. Hind, Esq., captured in Spain, and labelled Philanthiforme. 

The species taken by Mr. King, as far as can be ascertained from the damaged 


Entomological Society. 7161 


condition of his specimens, appears to be the S. Musceformis of Esper, originally 
recorded as a British species by Mr. Newman, in his “ Monographia Mgeriarum 
Anglie ” (Ent. Mag. vol. i. p. 79), on the authority of a specimen in the collection of 
Mr. J. F. Stephens; the species was also given as British by Mr. Stephens in the 
Appendix to his ‘ Illustrations ’ (Haust. iv. p. 385), on the authority of the same speci- 
men, which, however, he subsequently considered to be merely a variety of S. Ichneu- 
moniformis, and placed it as such in his ‘ Catalogue of British Lepidoptera in the Col- 
lection of the British Museum’ (Part 5, p. 31). This specimen (now contained in the 
collection of the British Museum) is unquestionably a damaged example of S. Ichneu- 
moniformis. 

Mr. Janson exhibited three unrecorded species of British Coleoptera, recently taken 
by Charles Turner at Rannoch, Perthshire, and made the following observations 
respecting them :— 

Rhopalodontus perforatus, Gyll. Cis perforatus, Gyll. Ins Suec. iii. 385, 7 (1813). 
Rhopalodontus perforatus, Mellié, Annales de la Soc. Ent. de France, Ser. 2, vi. 234, 
tab. 9, fig. 23 (1848).—The first indigenous example of this pretty little insect which 
caine under my notice I obtained from the late James Foxcroft, mixed up with some 
scores of Cis nitidus, reared during the winter of 1853-4, from a hard woody boletus he 
found on the trunks of old birch trees in the Black Forest, Perthshire, and which, 
remarking that it was perforated by innumerable minute coleopterous larve, he brought 
up with him to London the previous autumn. Turner, who carefully examined the 
specimen, and to whom I pointed out its most obvious distinctive characters and com- 
municated its history, has succeeded in securing upwards of thirty examples. 

Rhagonycha elongata, Fallen. Cantharis elongata, Fallen, Mon. Canth. i. ii. 8 (1807); 
Gyll. Ins. Suec. i. 335, 8 (1808). Nearly allied to Rhagonycha paludosa, Fallen, 
Gyll., exhibited by me at our last meeting, but readily distinguished from it by its 
superior size, relatively narrower from the pale basal joints of its antenne, pale apex 
of its femora and base of its tibiz, and its subquadrate prothorax, of which the posterior 
angles are salient. Gyllenhal and Sahlberg inform us that this species “ habitat in 
frondibus abietis.” Zetterstedt remarks that it occurs likewise on birch “ in Betuletis 
Nordlandiez et Finmarkiz ;” from Turner, who is far from communicative touching 
his craft, all the information I can elicit is that he “ got it in a very strange way.” 

Brachonyx indigena, Herbst. Curculio indigena, Herbst, Natur. Syst. Col. vi. 170, 
130, tab. 71, fig. 12 (1793 ?). Rhynchaenus indigena, Gyll. Ins. Suec. iii. 71, 7 (1813). 
Brachonyx indigena, Schoenh. Cure. Disp. Meth. 232, 132 (1826); Gen. et Spec. 
Cure. iii. i. 329, 214 (18836) ; Guerin, Icon. Ins. 145, tab. 38, fig. 3 (1833 ?).—This 
species is found, according to Gyllenhal and other continental authorities, “in Pini 
Sylvestris frondibus.” Turner, to whom I sent instructions to search for it on this 
tree, asserts he beat it from birch. Although of not unfrequent occurrence in Sweden, 
Finland, Lapland, and in the mountainous districts of central Europe, it would appear 
‘to be exceedingly rare in Scotland, as Turner assures me that every effort on his part 
had yielded three examples only, one of which is unfortunately mutilated. 

Mr. Waring exhibited two fine specimens of Acidalia rubricata, and a beautiful 
female of Lithostege nivearia, taken near Brandon, Suffolk, during the present 
season. : 

Mr. Scott exhibited the following Lepidoptera :— 

Colecphora binotapennella. Bred from larve found two years ago at Brighton. 

Tinea caprimulgelia, Found on the trunk of a tree in Blackheath Park. 


XVIII. 3B 


7162 Entomological Society. 


Ephestia semirufa, Haw. Found abundantly near Lewisham, as also the variety 
rufa described by Haworth as a species. Mr. Doubleday informed Mr. Douglas that 
he had seen no specimens of this insect since he received it from Mr. Dale many years 
ago. 

Mr. Scott also exhibited the following Coleoptera :— 


Deleaster Dichrous, Grav. Taken at Crwmlyn, Monmouthshire. June. 
Stilicus fragilis, Grav. Taken at Crwmlyn, Monmouthshire. June. 
Clythra 3-dentata Found at Darenth Wood. 


Mr. Mitford exhibited a beautiful series, including both sexes, of Nemotois cupria- 
cella, lately caught at Hampstead : though the female of this species has been frequently 
taken in various parts of England, the male had not previously been captured. 

Mr. Miller exhibited a number of interesting Micro-Lepidoptera, including an 
apparently new species of Coleophora bred from larve which fed on hazel, and a Litho- 
colletis, the larva of which mined in leaves of the plum tree. 

Mx. F. Walker exhibited a remarkable variety of Lasiommata Megera, and made 
the following observations respecting it :— 


This singular variety of L. Megera, if it had been found in a distant region, would 
perhaps have been considered to be a distinct species. It was taken by my son in 
Guernsey. The upper surface somewhat resembles that of L. Clymenus, a Russian 
species, and in the band of the fore wings of the male not being forked it approaches 
L. Tegelius from Corsica. The most decided peculiarity is in the under side of the 
hind wings, and it appears to differ as much from L. Megera as the latter does from 
L. Mera and L. Meroides, Boisd., found in Hindostan ; this last species hardly differs 
from L. Mera. Examples in the British Museum of L. Megera from Persia in no 
wise differ from the European specimens. 


Mr. Waterhouse exhibited specimens of the Cychramus fungicola of Heer and 
Erichson, an insect which he believed had been commonly confounded in this country 
with the C. luteus. The C. fungicola, however, might be distinguished by its more 
convex form, stronger punctuation, less dense and coarser pubescence, and, usually by 
the disc of the elytron being clouded with brown. 

A series of C. luteus was exhibited, with the C. fungicola for comparison. Mr. Water- 
house stated that he believed both speeies were equally common, and that he had taken 
them both at Darenth Wood, Birch Wood and Erith. He here observed that the second 
species of Byturus (viz., B. fumatus) he had this year found both at Darenth and Birch 
Woods; that at the time he first called attention to the existence of B. fumatus in 
England, he was not aware of the localities of the very few specimens which came 
under his notice. The B. fumatus he was aware had been taken by other entomolo- 
gists in the London district; he had seen specimens captured by Mr. Douglas and 
Mr. Stokes. 

Mr. Waterhouse then exhibited specimens of two species of Ceuthorhynchus, which 
had to be added to our list of British Coleoptera. The first was the C. Syrites of Germar, 
Gyllenhal and Schonkerr. The specimens exhibited were found by sweeping in the 
field opposite the inn at Birch Wood Corner, on the 11th of July last, and he had taken 
a single specimen at Erith on the 26th oftJune last. 

The C. Syrites is nearly allied to C. assimilis, but may be distinguished by its 
shorter and more convex form, the larger size of the white scales (which are very dense, 
and form a white line along the suture), with which it is clothed, the somewhat coarser 


Entomological Society. 7163 


seulpturing, and, lastly, by the apical third of the elytra being covered with minute 
tubercles, both on the upper surface and sides. Formerly another species of Ceutho- 
rhyncus had been mistaken for the C. Syrites, viz., the C. inaffectatus of Schonherr, a 
more oblong and more depressed insect, readily distinguished by its femora being 
dentate, on which account it is placed in a separate section. 

The other species exhibited was the C. tarsalis, of which Mr. Waterhouse had 
taken specimens at Erith, on June 26th, by sweeping. It was found in company with 
C. sulcicollis, which it much resembles. Like that insect it has a patch of pale (either 
yellowish or almost white) scales on the sides uf the chest, at the angle between the 
thorax and elytra, but its form is more elongate and depressed, and, instead of being 
dull black above, it is somewhat glossy, especially the elytra, which, moreover, have a 
slight metallic tint, usually of a bronze hue. In its form it more nearly approaches 
the C, cyaneipennis, from which it may be distinguished by its dark colouring, and 
the pale patch of scales already alluded to, and from both the species named it differs 
in having pale testaceous tarsi. 

Mr. Waterhouse then proceeded to observe that Mr. Walton, having prepared 
a Catalogue of the British Curculionide for the British Museum, and all the desiderata 
of the Museum British collection being marked in this Catalogue, he, with his well- 
known liberality and public spirit, then presented to the public a series of all the 
Species which were desiderata to the Museum, including the unique specimens. 
Among these specimens thus presented are two British specimens of a Ceutorhynchus 
bearing the name “ tarsalis;” there is, also presented by the same gentleman, a third 
insect with the same name, this last having been received by Mr. Walton from Germar. 
With Germar’s specimen the insect exhibited by me as C. tarsalis agrees perfectly, 
as it does likewise with Schonhert’s description, but when compared with Mr, Walton’s 
two specimens I notice differences which lead me to doubt if they be the same species; 
they want the metallic gloss on the elytra, are rather more convex, the strie of the 
elytra are rather more strongly marked, and the interstices are more strongly rugulose ; 
moreover, the tubercles at the apex of the elytra are mcch less distinct. I cannot 
help thinking that the two insects in question will prove to be varieties of the C. sulci- 
collis, in which the tarsi are piceo-rufous instead of black. It seems to me probable 
that Mr. Walton had some doubts of this identification, and hence did not introduce 
the species C. tarsalis into his list. An insect which appeared to me to agree with 
Mr. Walton’s I now exhibit : it certainly is a very rare circumstance for C. sulcicollis 
to have the tarsi ferrnginous ; for 1 have examined an immense number of specimens, 
and this is the only one I have seen, with the exception of the two specimens in the 
Museum already alluded to. 

Mr. Waterhouse also exhibited a specimen of Trox hispidus of Laichart, and like- 
wise a specimen of Crioceris dodecastigma of Panzer, both of which he had reason to 
believe were English; he knew not the locality of either, and his object was to call 
attention to these insects, through which he thought it possible to learn some definite 
localities for them. 

Of these insects he has possessed a specimen of each for years ; they were given to 
him’ by his friends, and were supposed both by him and them to be the nearly allied 
British species, viz., Trox sabulusus and Crioceris 12-punctata. The Trox Mr. W. 
had long back separated from sabulosus, but could not identify with any description, 
but recently Dr. Power brought to him for identification a species which appeared 
to him distinct from others. With this Mr. W. was able to satisfy himself that Dr. 


7164 Entomological Society. 


Power’s insect is the Trox hispidus of Laichart, and that his own insect is a variety of 
the same, in which the thorax is very sparingly punctured, whereas it should be rather 
thickly punctured. The species is readily distinguished by the alternate rows of 
smaller and larger tubercles on the elytra. 

The Crioceris dodecastigma, which has until quite recently been confounded in 
his collection (never having been looked at probably since it was received), is distin- 
guished from C. 12-punctata by the legs and under parts of the body being entirely 
black, instead of red. The orbit of the eye is also entirely black, and the antenne 
are less stout, &c. 

Mr. Rye exhibited a specimen of Deleaster dichrous, taken in a house at Glasgow ; 
a female of Odonteus mobilicornis, from Darenth Wood ; and a singular male example 
of Rbynchites betuleti, destitute of the usual spines on the thorax. 

Mr. Westwood exhibited some examples of the pupxz of Papilio Machaon, received 
from Dr. Verloren, and detailed some experiments by him, proving that the well-known 
diversity of colour in the pupe of this species is not indicative of the sexes, or of any 
variation in the colours of the imago. 


Natural Cross Breeding in Bees. 


Mr. Tegetmeier described a series of experiments he had been making recently to 
ascertain whether there existed any natural means for preventing continued inter- 
breeding in the honey bee. He stated that his own experience, as a breeder of several 
varieties of vertebrate animals, was that continued interbreeding Jed to deterioration 
of size, great delicacy of constitution, and ultimately to extinction of the race. It had 
been alleged, in opposition to these views, that continuous interbreeding was not injurious 
to the bee, the young queens being supposed to be fertilized by the drones of the same 
hive, bred from the same parent. It is well known that on a stranger worker bee 
attempting to enter a hive it is at once seized by the guards, and, unless it succeeds in 
escaping, stung to death. He found that on placing drones captured as they entered 
one hive at the entrance of another they ran in and were readily received. In order 
to ascertain whether they ever willingly entered other hives than those from which they 
emerged he marked them as they flew forth, by dusting them with flour, and observed 
that about one-third of the whole number flew into other hives on their return. The 
workers do not appear to distinguish between stranger drones and those of their own 
hive; in fact the drones seem common to all the hives in au apiary; hence, even sup- 
posing a young queen to be always fertilized by the drones inhabiting the hive in which 
she is reared, continuous interbreeding must of necessity be prevented. 

Mr. Tegetmeier also exhibited reared specimens of Apis Ligustrica, from a hive of 
‘that species at the Apiary, Muswell Hill, London. 


Mr. Westwood read “* Remarks on the Effects of Time and Heat in the Develop- 
ment of certain Sphingide,” being the results of most elaborate observations, by Dr. 
Verloren, on Sphinx Ligustri and other species. 

Mr. Scott read descriptions of four new species of Coleophora, viz., C. Melilotella, 
C. Artemisiella, C. Ardepennella and C. politella. 


& 


Part 6 of the current volume of the Society’s ‘ Transactions” were announced as 
published.—Z. S. 


lan or ae 


Botanical. 7165 


BoTANIST’s CORNER. 


On the Natural Affinities of Lustrea Thelypteris.—Has the fern usually described 
as Lastrea Thelypteris been assigned a proper position by our writers on ferns? 
I was forcibly impressed, on first seeing it in a wild state, with its numerous points of 
resemblance to the common brake. Many common characters seem to bring the two 
plants into very close affinity. Each has its creeping rhizome, and a substantial dis- 
tinction can scarcely be drawn between the marginal line of fruit in Pteris and the 
almost confluent sori of Thelypteris. The difference appears to me little more than a 
question of quantity. The venation of their pinnules is identical, except that in the 
more compound fronds of Pteris the veins are twice, instead of once, dichotomously 
divided, and bearing in mind that the quantity of sori depends on the quantity of 
veins. The fewer veins in Thelypteris would quite account for the line of fructifica- 
tion being interrupted in it, whilst confluent in Pteris, without the difference being 
sufficient for a generic distinction. The capsules of each are partly covered by the 
conyolute margins of pinnules and the evanescent nature of the true indusium 
common to them both. The decided difference between the barren and fertile fronds 
of Thelypteris would also seem to connect it with Pteris, through the allied genus 
Allosorus. If botanists object to Mr. Newman’s separation of Thelypteris into a 
distinct genus (‘ British Ferns, 3rd edition), I think they should associate it with the 
genus Pteris rather than Lastrea, and (supposing the order in which Mr. Newman 
describes the genera is intended to represent their affinities) that his new genus 
Hemistheum ought to be placed more immediately adjacent to Pteris.— George 
Maw ; Broseley, July 20, 1860. 


Discovery of Lathyrus tuberosus at Fyfield, near Ongar, Essex. 


LatHyrus TUBEROSUS (Tuberous-rooted Vetchling, or Everlasting Pea), Linn. 
Sp. Pl. 1033. Gerarde’s Herbal, p. 1057. Roots perennial, fibrous, with many large 
black tubers, penetrating the soil deeply. Stems climbing two or three feet high, 
four-sided, not winged; leaflets oval, in pairs; stalks many-flowered; flowers a fine 
rose-colour, with a little of the fragrance of Lathyrus odoratus; blossoms from July to 
September. Frequent in corn-fields in many parts of Europe, especially in France, 
Germany and Italy. Said to have been cultivated in Holland for the sake of its 
tubers, which are edible when boiled. 

Gerarde says that it is found in Hampstead Wood, near London, Richmond 
Heath and Coombe Park, but Babington doubts the correctness of these localities, 
and at all events no modern botanist has found it there, nor is it mentioned as a 
British species by Ray or Hudson. The parish of Fyfield is several miles in extent, 
and the soil is a very strong heavy clay, with a subsoil of calcareous marl. The 
plant in question is found abundantly in almost every corn-field and hedge-row in the 
parish, and also in the adjoining one of Willingale Spain, and probably in High 
Ongar. In some places it is so abundant as to damage the corn, and it has gruwn in 
the same fields for the last sixty years, at least according to the testimony of old men 
living*at Fyfield, so that no doubt can exist as to its being a truly wild plant. 

_ I suggest that it may be called the “ Fyfield Pea.” 

Norton Mandeville, where Bupleurum faleatum was discovered by me many years 

since, is in eluse proximity to Fyfield, and I have since found that plant in a new 


7166 .Cetacea. 


locality, at Writtle, four miles from Chelmsford. I may also mention that the very 
rare Lathyrus hirsutus is found at Nasing, Essex, in a field near the church, growing 
with Lathyrus sylvestris, L. Aphaca and L. Nissolia, and also the scarcely less rare 
Vicia bithynica, all in the space of a few square yards.— Thomas Corder; Kimpton, 
near Bedford, August 20, 1860. 

[There is a figure of this beautiful plant in Curtis’s ‘ Botanical Magazine,’ pl. 111, 
and Mr. Watson, to whom I communicated the interesting fact of its discovery in 
Essex, says, ‘This might reasonably be expected in Essex as a wild plant, subject 
only to the doubt suggested by so showy a plant having been so long overlooked in a 
metropolitan county, if aboriginally native. The species is widely spread in Europe. 
Italy to South Sweden, eastward into Siberia, westward to Denmark, Hanover, Hol- 
land, Belgium, West France, on faith of their Floras.” Can Mr. Corder dry a few 
specimens? They will be most acceptable to British botanists —HKdward Newman.] 


The Dugong: the valuable Medicinal Properties of its Oil in 
Consumption and various Diseases. By Joun McGricor 
Crort, Esq., M.D., M.R.C. Physicians, London, late Medical 
Officer to H.M. Ceylon Rifles in China and Ceylon, and Staff 
Surgeon to Her Majesty’s Forces. 


[The talented author of the following observations having placed them in my hands, 
T have much pleasure in presenting them to the notice of the readers uf the ‘ Zoologist, 
who will, I am sure, agree with me that so important a discovery in Medico-Zoology 
ought to be made known as widely as possible-—Adward Newman]. 


Tus species is a native of the Indian Ocean, and principally 
observed among the islands of the Indian Archipelago and the coast 
of New Holland. It is frequently seen in considerable numbers on 
the coast of Ceylon, especially along the northern shore of the island, 
among the inlets from the Bay of Calpentyn to that part of Ceylon 
called Adam’s Bridge, where the water is still and the seaweeds abun- 
dant. These creatures may be observed in troops, feeding, where the 
ocean is clear, at a depth from three to four fathoms. The position 
of the mouth in the dugong, and the muscular powers and mobility of 
the lips, a large, thick and powerful upper lip falling over the lower, 
and endowed with great muscular power and mobility, enable the 
animal to seize and drag up its food. The Malays endeavour to 
capture these phytophagous cetaceans, so also do the aborigines of 
Australia, the flesh being exceedingly rich, and tasting like veal. Sir 
James Emerson Tennent, late of Ceylon, saw one of these creatures, 
which was sent to him at Colombo, in 1847; it had been killed at 
Manaar, and measured upwards of seven feet in length, but specimens 


Cetacea. 7167 


considerably larger have been taken at Calpentyn. The male and 
female dugongs are very affectionate to each other, and especially so 
to their offspring ; when the latter is killed, the mother can scarcely, 
be induced to leave her enemies, and falls an easy prey. 

The dugong obtains considerable length and size; the outline of 
the horizontal tail-fin is crescent-shaped, and a large thick upper lip 
falls over the lower; the skin of the body is thinly set with short 
prickly bristles; the anterior limbs or flippers are destitute of nails, 
and the eyes are very small. A short description of these creatures 
is necessary, and will no doubt be received with satisfaction, con- 
sidering that eight or ten gallons of oil may be obtained from an ordi- 
nary dugong, the extraordinary properties of which I have been, I 
believe, the first to test in this country. At Brisbane and Moreton 
Bay, Australia, the natives catch the animal and greedily devour it. 

Dr. Hobbs, a medical practitioner at the latter place, had his atten- 
tion drawn to the oleaginous properties of the dugong, and for some 
time past prescribed the oil with advantage where he would have 
advised cod-liver oil. 

For the last twelve months I have been in possession of the oil for 
the purpose of testing its value, and submitted it to the analytical 
opinion of my respected friend, the eminent chemist, Professor Taylor, 
of Guy’s Hospital, who has kindly allowed me to state that he considers 
the oil “ very palatable,” in fact agreeable, differing in that one point 
specially from the best cod-liver oil. Its component proportions are 
exceedingly harmless, stearine in excess, and it can, in his opinion, 
be taken, without any ill effects, by the most delicate lady, child or 
invalid. I have communicated to Professor Taylor the results of the 
use of this remedy in cases of scrofula and consumption, which has 
led him 1o give his opinion that an oil so agreeable, with such results, 
is decidedly a most valuable and important remedy. 

As my object is merely to give temporary information to the public, 
I shall mention a few facts in confirmation of my statement. 

A young lady, aged 17, residing in Harley Street, Portland Place, 
came under my medical care some time since, at the request of her 
family. She was a perfect skeleton, complexion extremely fair, light 
hair, of moderate height ; her system was saturated with scrofula, had 
a hacking cough, and evident dulness on percussion, over the apex of 
the right lung particularly, also slighter over the left. Stethoscopic 
diagnosis inferred tubercular deposit in these portions of the lungs; 
scrofulous enlargement of the cervical glands on the right side of the 
neck, and tumours of the same about the wrist joints; added to all 


7168 Cetacea. 


this, a scrofulous abscess, communicating with the head of the left 
tibia, or large bone of the leg, at the knee joint. A more unpromising 
case I never took in hand. It appears she has had the most eminent 
advice for the last three years, but nothing did good; the best cod- 
liver oil, vaunted as a “ specific,” was too nauseous, and, though tried, 
of no service. She therefore, with slight prelimmary treatment and 
regulated diet, commenced to take the dugong oil in small doses, in- 
creasing gradually; the oil being agreeable required nothing to disguise 
it, and, to use her own words, after taking a few doses she felt sure she 
should be benefitted by it. In all cases I carefully weigh the patient, 
and the result in this young lady was one quarter of a pound inerease 
after taking small doses the first week. Every week after, on increasing 
the dose of oil, her weight multiplied, and at the end of two anda half 
months she had gained six pounds and a quarter, looked plump, com- 
plexion healthy, with clear bloom on cheeks, scarcely any cough, 
tumours softer and smaller, less discharge from the abscess at the knee 
joint, able to get out and walk well,—in fact her family were quite sur- 
prised at the decided improvement. She still contmues the oil without 
the slightest repugnance, and this-remarkable amendment is the result 
of taking a pint and a half of the dugong oil. This case is highly 
satisfactory, having watched her with great interest, and I have her 
family’s permission to make this statement. She will in the course of | 
a short time be a healthy, stout young person. 

Through the kindness of Sir John Forbes, M.D., Physician Extra- 
ordinary to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Physician in Ordinary 
to Her Majesty’s household, and Consulting Physician to the extensive 
Hospital for Consumption, at Brompton,—also with the friendly assist- 
ance of R. Payne Cotton, Esq., M.D., Visiting Physician of the Hos- 
pital—I was permitted to choose a patient in their establishment for 
the trial of the oil, and Dr. Cotton kindly undertook to observe all my 
suggestions in the use of the same. 

The case was one considered very suitable by the Physicians, and 
having diagnosced the patient (a male), the medical gentlemen present 
agreed with me that it was a serious case of advanced consumption. 
The symptoms were constant cough, with purulent expectoration 
tinged with blood, great difficulty of breathing, profuse night perspira- 
tion, and diarrhoea. The poor man was much emaciated, and evidently 
could not last long.in his present state. Some time before coming 
under my treatment he had tried the best cod-liver oil, but found it 
too nauseous, and, he remarked, did him no good. The patient was 
weighed, and placed on a certain class of diet. He did not know at | 


* 


Cetacea, &c. 7169 


at first the kind of oil administered ; this was concealed from him, that 
his imagination might not create a false idea of its effects. The results 
of the use of the oil after the first week astonished the medical men. 
“Increase of weight, less difficulty of breathing, bloody expectoration 
checked, scarcely any profuse perspiration, diarrhea stopped, appetite 
better; in fact, the results of the treatment were already apparent.” 
He expressed his satisfaction in taking “ some oil” that agreed with 
him. Each week, for a month, I visited him, and after taking a bottle- 
ful of oil, the results of improvement were so evident — especially in 
weight, less cough, healthy complexion and colour; in fact, a great 
amendment on the first report for the better—that, to use Dr. Cotton’s 
own words in a letter to me, no one was more astonished at the results 
of the treatment than the poor fellow himself. I need not remark that 
the patient, from the interest taken in his case, was aware of something 
being tried, and he begged to be allowed to shake hands and thank 
me for what had been done. This is also a very satisfactory result of 
the use of the dugong oil. 

I could state many other cases, but those mentioned are sufficient. 
Not only in consumption has the oil proved beneficial, but in cases of 
chronic dyspepsia with frequent constipation, or oftentimes accom- 
panied with frequent diarrhoea} has this remedy proved valuable. 
Young females particularly seem to benefit from it, and several persons 
who have resided in tropical climes, with the digestive organs impaired, 
or suffering from chronic dysentery, have derived great benefit where 
nothing else seemed of use. I would particularly point out that diet 
in this treatment is an all-necessary adjunct, and I may add that a long 
residence in Oriental and Australian lands, in Her Majesty’s service, 
has afforded me that experience which is denied the resident physicians 
of England. 


J. McGricor Crort. 
‘Mandarin Villa, 8, Abbey Road, 


St. John’s Wood, January, 1860. 


A Mole taking to the Water.—An acquaintance of mine was lately walking by the 
side of the river Taw, near here, and observed a mole swimming across the river: he 
could not credit it at first, and waited until it arrived at the side. A boy was at the 
other side, who got the mole and attempted to throw it across, but did not succeed, 
and the poor thing made another, but this time ineffectual, attempt to reach the shore, 
and was drowned. My friend then got it out, to make sure that it was a mole, which 
it proved to be.—Edward Parfitt; Museum, Taunton, August 20, 1860. 


25 


XVIII. ae 3C 


7170 Birds. iy 


Indigenous and Occasional Visitors to the Avi-Fauna of Europe.—I have read the 
remarks of Mr. Alfred Newton, in the ‘ Zoologist’ for August (Zool. 7145), upon the 
increasing lists of European birds, from the occasional appearance of the inhabitants of 
other quarters of the globe, and will, with your permission, offer one or two observa- 
tions upon this interesting subject. I think it will be admitted by all naturalists that 
the task of making out a truly indigenous list of the Fauna of Europe is one of 
extreme difficulty; and I do not think such a list, as applied to birds (to which I now 
confine myself), would meet the requirements of ornithologists. The object of 
defining the lists of birds belonging to any country is two-fold: first, it is intended to 
illustrate by these lists those birds which, as far as can be determined, are peculiar to 
that country—those that live and breed there; but, secondly, it is equally important 
for the student to know something about those which are occasionally seen there. A 
bird which is observed once will be eagerly looked out for again, and will not be 
unfrequently found. Upon very good authority I introduced into my work upon the 
‘ Birds of Europe’ Regulus calendulus of North America, which was captured in the 
Scottish Highlands; and, while the sheets were in the press, I heard of a second 
example which had been taken by a pitman in Durham, and which came into the pos- 
session of Mr. Tristram in the flesh. It is only a few years ago that its congener Regulus 
ignicapillus was discovered by Mr. Jenyns in the mouth of his cat, and the publication 
of this fact led to the discovery that the bird was a regular inhabitant of the country. 
This, I think, illustrates sufficiently well the propriety of including in our European or 
British lists all birds that are even occasionally found in one area or the other. The 
scientilic naturalist, or even the early student, will readily separate the two classes of 
birds, and thus, while no harm is really done to scientific precision, additional know- 
ledge is diffused, and we have the benefit of seeing and hearing of forms which would 
be otherwise shut up in Audubon’s splendid folios or other works of the kind. It thus 
appears to me that it is absolutely essential to adopt in our lists the rule which all 
really good ornithologists have followed, whether Temminck, Schlegel, Bonaparte or 
Selby or Yarrell in our own country. The lists speak clearly what they mean, if cha- 
racterised by a mark like that of the ‘ Zoologist List of British Birds, and I think the 
readers of historic works upon the subject will not be ungrateful to their authors for the 
additional trouble and expense by which they are made acquainted with new forms, 
which it is quite possible they may again meet with in their naturalists’ rambles. Larus 
ichthyetus, or even Falco leucocephalus may again be found wandering either into 
Russia or Great Britain, and we shall be none the worse for the additional knowledge 
by which we shall be enabled to welcome them as familiar friends.—C. R. Bree ; 
Colchester, August 6, 1860. 

Kestrel feeding Chickens.—1 had known that the master of the Cirencester Union 
kept a female kestrel, which was usually at liberty in one of the yards, and having for 
her companion a jackdaw; last year she laid, on the straw in her box, two eggs, one 
of them of the ordinary shape and colouring, the other more oblong and the colour 
paler, but much darker at the large end: I have these eggs, which, on shaking them, 
seem to contain a fluid. At the end of last month a hen hatched a brood of chickens, 
she being confined in a coop, the little ones running, as usual, in or out of the cage, 
as they pleased. One day the master of the Union gave the hawk a piece of raw meat, 
and was much astonished to see her run off immediately towards the coop, and draw 
away the young chickens, which she, in the kindest and most attentive manner, began 
to feed, by tearing the meat in pieces and presenting it to their bills, as 


Birds. 7171 


she would have done to her own young; but the chicks did not seem to comprehend 
well her intention at first, generally preferring to pick up the meat from the ground, 
the hawk scattering it about her. One delicate chick seems to receive more attention 
from the hawk, and keeps closer to her, receiving a larger portion of food. The 
gentle and affectionate manner in which the hawk presents the morsels of meat to the 
young birds is most pleasing to witness: at first she will hold up the whole piece of 
meat to the chicks, which, I presume, is intended to draw them off to a distance from 


_ tbe hen, who at first was greatly alarmed at seeing her young ones in such dangerous 


company. One morning the hawk seemed to have devised a method to appease the 
hen, for on being fed she ran off straight to the coop with the piece of meat in her 
bill, and presented it to the hen, as if to say, “See here, I am only going to feed your 
young ones with this,” and suiting her actions to her words fed them at a short 
distance off ; since then the hen has appeared perfectly satistied. One morning I saw 
the hawk scratching the ground and shaking her wings as a hen does when she wishes 
to gather her little ones under them, and I think that it was really the motive of the 
hawk to draw them around or under her. An account somewhat similar is related by 
Yarrell of the buzzard; but I do not learn that the kestrel sat on her own eggs, 
which she laid last year. It will be seen that the period in which these fond 
attentions have been paid to the young of another bird is considerably later than 
usual, the young of the kestrel being hatched about the end of March or beginning of 
April.—Joshua Brown; Bartonbury, August 4, 1860. 

Robins and Titmice reared in one Nest.—A short time ago, when looking for bird’s 
nests, I discovered a robin’s in a hole, about five feet from the ground, in a chestnut 
iree ; the nest contained five eggs. Being the first ] had found this summer, I deter- 
mined in a day or two to take one egg. The third or fourth day alter I first found 
the nest I went to the tree; to my great surprise, 1 saw some very fine hair and wool 
close to the mouth of the hole inside ; I just peeped in, and out flew a blue titmouse. 
How the ingenious and impudent little fellow had. become possessed of the robins’ 
chosen place I cannot conceive. I only saw the robins once after. The bold titmouse 
very soon returned, and in a few days had deposited eggs amongst the robins. As 
soon as it began to sit, I hollowed out a piece of stick and took two robin’s and three 
titmouse’s eggs out of the nest; there were left six tits and three robins. In due time 
the eggs were hatched, and the old tits tended the robins the same as their own. One 
morning I thought they would be ready to fly, and I got a lighted taper and inserted 
into the hole; to my surprise, they were all Hown but one little tit,—in about an hour 
afterwards it was gone as well. I then got the nest out as well as I could, and found 
one robin’s egg left, so that two robins and six titmice were all reared in one nest.— 
L, Appleby ; Middleton Lodge, July 29, 1860. 

The Hawfinch breeding in Norfolkh.—In the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1846 (Zool. 4946), 
I recorded the first instance that had ever come to my notice of the hawfnch 
Temaining to breed in this county, at which time a young bird, now in my possession, 
was shot in Kimberley Park. On the 20th of July last I was shown an immature 
specimen, obtained at Easton a few days before, much resembling my own, but if any- 
thing rather more advanced in plumage. I am more and more cunvinced, froin in- 
quiries made of gamekeepers, gardeners and others employed in likely baunts for these 
shy birds, that these two are by no means solitary instances of the hawfinch nesting in 
this county, although their peculiar watchfulness and the dense foliage they usually 
frequent render it extremely difficult to detect their presence amongst us, except in 


7172 Birds, &c. 


such accidental cases as the above. After the unusual number of these birds that 
appeared in this district during the winter and spring of 1859-60, being met with as 
late as the middle of April, the wonder is rather that several nests have not been taken 
than that one solitary nestling should attest the probability of many more un- 
discovered.—A. Stevenson ; Norwich, August 16, 1860. 

Snipes in Summer.—On the 9th of this month a friend of mine was sent to me 
to say there were hundreds of snipes on the movrs: these so-called ** Moors” are a 
long, low, marshy tract below Bridgwater, and, from this dull wet season, have been. 
pretty well covered with water. My friend and an acquaintance went, and lo and 
behold ! there were hundreds of snipes; and they were told that if they had been there 
a day before they might have seen many more: however, as it was, notwithstanding the 
difficulty of getting about, from the quantity of water, they did pretty well. The two 
gentlemen killed seven brace, which were in capital condition. Now the question is, 
From whence came these suipes—the veritable Scolopax gallinago? They were evi- 
dently migrating somewhere, as they stopped so short a time. The record of their 
appearance at other places would be interesting, to shew their line of route; we might 
then possibly see to where they were bound.—Edward Parfitt ; Museum, Taunton, 
August 20, 1860. 

Great Flocks of Scoters in July.—I was at the mouth of the Ribble on the 7th of 
July, and, to my great astonishment, saw several very large flocks of scoters; in all 
there must have been over a thousand. They were exceedingly shy, and would 
hardly let the yacht come within two or three hundred yards. There were amongst 
them several velvet ducks, easily distinguished by their size and the white oun their 
wings. Where could all these birds have bred, so as to be here so early. There are 
always a few to be seen almost al] through the year, but I never recollect seeing such 
large flocks so early. I shot one bird, evidently a young one, but whether it was a 
common scoter or velvet duck I could not decide. The beak was very broad and 
black, and all the plumage black, except the neck and the lower part of the head, 
which was dusky brown.—Z. C. Buxton; Daresbury Hall, Warrington, August 4, 
1860. 


Abundance of the Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) in Ivreland.—If you 
consider the following fact worthy a place in the ‘ Zoologist’ it is much at your 
service: it is interesting as opposed to the opinion of naturalists and others, that 
reptiles do not inhabit Ireland. In the month of June last the common lizard 
(Zootoca vivipara) was to be found in vast numbers everywhere in the county of Down. 
They were most varied both in size and colour; in size varying from one inch to four 
inches in length, and in colour from pale fawn to jet-black. What renders this 
circumstance more remarkable is that they never occurred here before, excepting a 
single individual at a time, and those at long intervals. —F. Bewley, Clerk ; Laurence- 
town, Co, Down, July 25, 1860. 


: 
| 


Batrachians and Fishes. 7173 


Unusual Modes of Gestation in Batrachians and Fishes. 


AmoneG Batrachians the circumstances under which the young are 
developed, though less varied than in some of the other classes of verte- 
brates, still present a considerable range. By most species the eggs 
are deposited in the water, either upon aquatic plants or on the bot- 
toms ; by others, as in Salamandra erythronota, they are laid in damp 
places under logs or stones ; with some the evolution of the embryo 
commences a short time previous to the laying of the egg, and is com- 
pleted subsequently, while there are species which are wholly vivi- 
parous. The most remarkable deviations from the ordinary modes 
are to be found in those instances in which the eggs, after being laid, 
are again brought into a more or less intimate relation with the parent, 
as in the “swamp toads” (Pipa Americana) of Guiana, where each 
ovum is developed in a sac by itself on the back of the female, in 
Notodelphys of Venezuela, where all the eggs are lodged in one large 
sac also on the back, analogous to the pouch of the marsupials, 
and in Alytes, the “ obstetric toad” of Europe, where the eggs are 
wound in strings around the legs of the male, who takes care of them 
until they hatch. 

The species, the habits of which are noticed below, and which, in 
so far as I have been able to learn, have not attracted the attention of 
naturalists, adds another to the series just mentioned, though the 
relation of the foetus to the parent becomes less intimate than in any 
of the preceding cases. 

Hylodes lineatus, Dum. and Bib., is very common in Dutch Guiana, 
and its peculiar habits are well known to the colonists. The first 
specimen with young which came to my notice had been preserved in 
alcohol, and was presented to me by Mr. G. O. Wacker, residing at 
Otembo, on the Para Creek, Surinam, and had been captured at some 
distance from the water. The young, ten or twelve in number, though 
separated from the parent, he assured me, when found were attached 
to the back. In the month of May, 1857, during an excursion to the 


country inhabited by the Bush negroes, above Sara Creek on the 


upper Surinam River, I had an opportunity for the first time of seeing 
these animals carrying their young. The grass and bushes were quite 
wet from a recent fall of rain, and this seemed the inducement that 
led them from their hiding places, for when the ground was dry none 
had been seen. They were very quick in their movements, and when 


7174 Unusual Modes of Gestation in 


alarmed went at once into the grass and thick bushes. One of my 
companions, Mr. John Green, and myself succeeded in capturing some 
specimens, which, as we were just leaving the village, were placed at 
once in alcohol. In one instance the larve were retained permanently 
adherent to the back of the parent, in consequence of the coagulation 
of the mucus covering the surface of the body, and are still preserved 
in the Museum of Comparative Anatomy at Cambridge. The young, 
from twelve to twenty in number, were collected upon the back of the 
mother, their heads directed towards the middle line: they were about 
three-fourths of an inch in length. No limbs were developed, though 
in some of them the rudiments of a leg existed in the form of a small 
papilla on either side of the base of the tail. No especial organ was 
found to aid them in adhering to the back of the parent; the adhesion 
may have been effected by the mouth. This is rendered probable by 
the fact that all of them had the mouth in contact either with the 
skin of the parent or with that of another larva. A viscid mucus 
covering the integuments undoubtedly assisted in some measure to 
bring about the same results. However this may be, they retained 
their places perfectly well, and were not displaced when their mother, 
closely pursued, carried them through the grass. 

On dissection of the young nothing was found materially different 
to conditions of the larve of other Anoura. The external gills had 
disappeared, but were replaced by internal ones, which were arranged 
as usual on three hyoid arches. The development of the lungs had 
commenced, and these were represented by a slender conical mass of 
cells, but not permeable to air. The mouth was provided with finely 
denticulated horny jaws, and the intestinal canal was shorter and less 
spirally convoluted than in ordinary larve of frogs and toads. The 
stomach was not so much developed as to be distinguished from the 
rest of the intestine; but this last, after passing the liver, was some- 
what dilated, and contained, as was shown by the microscope, large 
quantities of yelk-cells which had not been absorbed, and which were 
adherent to its walls, 

We have here, then, a larva, in all the details of its structure, espe- 
cially in the existence of gills and of a flattened tail, adapted to aquatic 
locomotion and respiration, yet passing a portion of its time at least 
on the back of its parent, and at a distance from the water. 

I was not able to ascertain whether the eggs were primarily de- 
posited in the water or not, but it is well known to some of the colo- 
nists that after the larve have reached a certain degree of development 
they are carried about in the manner just described, and they do not 


Batrachians and Fishes. 7175 


know them under any other circumstances. The existence of yelk- 
cells in the intestine shows that for a period at least they may have 
from these a supply of nutriment; but after this is exhausted—and it 
appeared to be nearly so in those which I have dissected—how do they 
obtain their food? Inu the absence of limbs adapted to terrestrial loco- 
motion can they leave the body of the parent? And if they cannot, do 
they, as in the case of Pipa, and probably in Notodelphys, depend 
upon a secretion from her? 

Among fishes, as far as at present known, the external conditions 
under which the eggs are developed are more varied than in any other 
class of vertebrates. There are scarcely any known conditions of the 
higher classes to which there are not analogies, at least in the class of 
fishes. Besides the ordinary mode of depositing eggs upon the bottoms 
some of the Salmonidz, like the turtles, bury their eggs; the lampreys 
(Petromyzon), the breams (Pomotis), the hassars (Caldicthys), the stickle- 
backs (Gasterosteus), &c., build more or less complete nests. 

Among some of the pipe fishes (Syngnathide) the eggs, and subse- , 
quently the young, are carried in a pouch analagous to that of the 
opossums and other marsupial animals; and among some of the 
sharks there is a vitelline placenta analogous to the allantoidan, one 


| of the Mammalia. 


To those species enumerated above, where the eggs become more 
or less intimately connected with the body of the parent after they 
are laid, may be added the Aspredos, and some species of Bagrus, 
from Guiana. 

Aspredo levis (Cuv. aud Val.), the “ Trompetti” of the colonists, is 
about fifteen inches in length, and belongs to a remarkable genus of 
Siluroid fishes, which, in addition to several peculiarities of anatomi- 
cal structure, are remarkable for carrying the eggs and young attached 
to the under surface of the body. ‘These fishes are very abundant in 
the waters of the Surinam, where they are taken in the nets with 


_ other kinds. They are not used as articles of food, except by the 


negroes, who have a fancy for Siluroids generally, and in conse- 
quence these are known among the colonists as Ningré fisi, or 
“nigger fish.” A general account of the internal structure of Aspredo 
is given in the ‘ Histoire Naturelle des Poissons,’ by Cuvier and Valen- 
cienne. 

In the month of June the eggs are found adhering to the under 
side of the body, to the ventral and pectoral fins, and extend as far 
forward as the under lip, and as far backwards as the middle of the 
tail. In some, however, the distribution is much more limited. I 


7176 Unusual Modes of Gestation in 


was unable to learn anything with regard to the transfer of the ova 
from the genital orifice to the point of their attachment. The only 
organ which seems in any way adapted to such a purpose is the:slen- 
der and flexible tail, terminated by a delicate caudal fin. It is pos- 
sible that the eggs may be deposited on the bottom of the river, and 
subsequently attached by pressing the under side of the body upon 
them. 

In those individuals where the ova were still in the ovary, but 
approaching maturity, the integuments of the under side of the body 
gave no other indications of the changes about to take place than of 
being quite vascular; the skin was perfectly smooth, no “ pores” 
were visible, but a large vessel was seen emerging from the region of 
the liver, and, descending along the median line, gave off branches 
quite freely to the integuments. ‘This may have some relation to the 
future development of the pedicles which support the eggs, and per- 
haps to the nutrition of the embryo, as will be adverted to hereafter. 

In all the specimens which I have had an opportunity of examining 
the eggs were either somewhat advanced or quite mature; so that no 
observations could be made on the earlier conditions of the egg and 
the formation of its pedicle. The pedicle is a flexible outgrowth from 
the common integuments, is about two lines in length, is attached to 
the skin by a slightly expanded base, and spreads out at its summit 
into a shallow cup or “cupule” for the support of the egg. It is com- 
posed almost entirely of fibrous tissue, invested with a layer of tes- 
sellated epithelium. In some instances, when the eggs were but little 
advanced, numerous fusiform cells were detected among the fibres. 
It is vascular, two or three vessels reaching to the cup, where they 
ramify and form a somewhat extended capillary plexus. 

_ The. eggs vary according to the degree of development, from the 
0:09 to 0:15 of an inch in diameter, and are covered with an external 
homogeneous membrane, containing minute punctiform depressions ; 
within this is a second, of a brownish colour, and composed of  epi- 
thelium. The embryos which were the most advanced, and just ready 
to hatch, had not as yet completely absorbed the yolk, and were 
coiled up within the membranes, which, in consequence of the irregu- 
larities of the mass formed by the embryo, had no longer a spherical 
form. | 

The eggs are retained in connexion with the cup apparently by 
adhesion alone, for as soon as the feetus escapes the egg-membranes 
become very easily detached from the pedicle, and this last; as shown 
by some of the specimens, undergoes absorption. 


Batrachians and Fishes. 177 


The relation of the embryo to the parent in this singular mode of 
gestation cannot be determined very accurately, but the vascular 
plexus in the cup seems to be more than is necessary for the mere 
nutrition of the part. This increases in size during incubation, those 
ova im which the development had but slightly advanced measuring 
from 0:09 to 0°11 of an inch in diameter, while those nearly mature 
measured from 0°14 to 0°15 of an inch. ' How this increase of size of 
the embryo over the original size of the egg is actually obtained I 
have no facts to show, but either of two suppositions is probable: it 
may be by absorption of materials from the water which surrounds it, 
or from the capillary plexus of the pedicles, and in this case in a man- 
ner analogous to that of Pipa. | 

Among the Siluroid fishes of Guiana there are several species 
which at certain seasons of the year have their mouths and branchial 
cavities filled either with eggs or young, and, as is believed, for the 
purpose of incubation. My attention was first called to this singular 
habit by the late Dr. Francis W. Cragin, formerly U.S. Consul at 
Paramaribo, Surinam. In a letter dated August, 1854, he says, “ The 
eggs you will receive are from another fish. The different fishermen 
have repeatedly assured me that these eggs, in their nearly mature 
state, are carried in the mouth of the parent till the young are relieved 
by the bursting of the sac. Do you either know or believe this to be 
‘so, and, if possible, where are the eggs conceived, and how do they 
get into the mouth?” 

In the month of April, 1857, on visiting the market of Paramaribo, 
I found that this statement, which at first seemed to be very impro- 
-bable, was correct as to the existence of eggs in the mouths of several 
species of fish. In a tray of fish which a negro woman offered for 
‘sale I found the mouths of several filled with either eggs or young, 
and subsequently an abundance of opportunities occurred for repeating 
the observation. The kinds most commonly known to the colonists, 
especially to the negroes, are Jara-bakka, Njinge-njinge, Koepira, 
Makrede, and one or two others, all belonging either to the genus 
‘Bagrus or one nearly allied to it. The first two are quite common in 
the market, and I have’ seen many specimens of them; for the last 
‘two I have the authority of negro fishermen, but have never seen them 
myself. The eggs in my collection are of three different sizes, indi- 
cating so many species ; one of the three having been brought to me 
without the fish from which they were taken. 
| «The eggs become quite large before they leave the ovaries, and are 
atranged in three zones corresponding to three successive broods, and 

XVIII. 3D 


7178 Batrachians and Fishes. 


probably to be discharged in three successive years ; the mature eggs 
of a Jara-bakka eighteen inches long measure three-fourths of an inch 
in diameter, those of the second zone one-fourth, and those of the 
third, or very minute, about one-sixteenth of an inch. 

A careful examination of eight specimens of Njinge-njinge, about 
nine inches long, gave the following results. 

The eggs in all instances were carried in the mouths of the males. 
This protection, or gestation of the eggs by the males, corresponds 
with what has been long noticed with regard to other fishes, as for 
example Syngnathus, where the marsupial pouch for the eggs or 
young is found in the males only; and Gasterosteus, where the male 
constructs the nest, and protects the eggs, during incubation, from 
the voracity of the females. 

In some individuals the eggs had been recently laid, in others they 
were hatched, and the foetus had grown at the expense of some other 
food than that derived from the yelk, as this last was not proportion- 
ally diminished in size, and the foetus weighed more than the unde- 
veloped egg. The number of eggs contained in the mouth was 
between twenty and thirty. The mouth and branchial cavities were 
very much distended, rounding out and distorting the whole hyoid 
and branchiostegal region. Some of the eggs even partially protruded 
from the month. The ova were not bruised or torn as if they had 
been bitten, or forcibly held by the teeth. In many instances the 
foetuses were still alive, though the parent had been dead for many 
hours. 

No young or eggs were found in the stomach, although the mouth 
was crammed to its fullest capacity. 

The above observations apply to Njinge-njinge. With regard to 
Jara-bakka, I had but few opportunities for dissection, but in several 
instances the same conditions of the eggs were noticed as above; and 
im one instance, besides some nearly mature foetuses contained in the 
mouth, two or three were squeezed apparently from the stomach, but 
not bearing any marks of violence or of the action of the gastric fluid. 
It is probable that these found their way into that last cavity after 
death, in consequence of the relaxation of the sphincter which sepa- 
rates the cavities of the mouth and stomach. These facts lead to. a 
conclusion that this is a mouth-gestation, as the eggs are found there 
in all stages of development, and even for some time after they are 
hatched. 

The question will be very naturally asked, how, under such cir- 
cumstances, these fishes are able to secure and swallow their food. ' I 


Fishes. 7179 


have made no observations bearing upon sucha question. Unless 
the food consists of very minute particles, it would seem necessary 
that, during the time of feeding, the eggs should be disgorged. If 
this supposition be correct, it would give a very probable explanation 
of the only fact which might be considered at variance with the con- 
clusion stated above, viz., that we have in these fishes a mouth- 
gestation. In the mass of eggs with which the mouth is filled I have 
occasionally found the eggs, rarely more than one or two, of another 
species. The only way in which their presence may be accounted 
for, it seems to me, is by the supposition that while feeding, the eggs 
are disgorged; and as these fishes are gregarious in their habits, 
when the ova are recovered the stray egg of another species may be 
introduced into the mouth among those which naturally belong there.* 


Musical Fishes of the East. 


THE existence of musical fishes is as firmly believed by residents 
in various parts of our eastern empire as that of sea serpents by those 
whose home is on the waters of the great deep. I desire to encourage 
both beliefs, and demand that respectful credence shall be given to 
respectable witnesses. At the same time I thoroughly commend, and 
indeed enjoin, that caution which carefully sifts evidence, and admits 
no more than is clearly demonstrated. Dr. Buist has lately collected 
some very interesting paragraphs on the subject of the musical: fishes 
of the East, and published them in No. 1711 of the ‘Athenzum,’ dated 

“August 11, 1860. These I reprint below. 

“The first is from Sir Emerson Tennent’s ‘ Ceylon,’ and the: phe- 
nomenon described was heard at Chilka Lake, a salt water creek close 
to Batticaloa, on the eastern shores of Ceylon. It is as follows :-— 
After speaking of these musical fishes Sir Emerson Tennent says, 
*“J distinctly heard the sounds in question. They came up from the 
water like the gentle thrills of a musical chord, or the faint vibrations 
“of a wine glass when its rim is rubbed by a wet finger. It was not 
“one sustained note, but a multitude of tiny sounds, each clear and 
“distinct in itself; the sweetest treble mingling with the lowest bass. 
On applying the ear to the wood-work of the boat, the vibration was 


o* Extracted from the ‘Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, Vol. v. No. 3: 


7180 Fishes, 


greatly increased in volume by conduction. The sounds varied con- 
siderably at different points, as we moved across the lake, as if the 
number of the animals from which they proceeded was greatest in 
particular spots ; and occasionally we rowed out of hearing of them 
altogether, until, on returning to the original locality, the sounds were 
at once renewed.” 

The next extract is particularly interesting as relating to a different 
locality, and as having been published as far back as January, 1847 in 
the ‘ Bombay Times.’ The place mentioned is a salt-water creek near 
Bombay. There is no collusion whatever between the two writers. 
It'is'extremely improbable that Sir Emerson should have seen this 
account, and have omitted all allusion to it; and it is quite impossible 
that Dr. Buist should have been cognizant of Sir Emerson Tennent’s 
subsequently published observations. Here is Dr. Buist’s own 
natrative :— 

“A party lately crossing from the promontory in Salsette called the 
‘Neat’s tongue, to near Sewree, were, about sunset, struck by hearing 
long distinct sounds like the protracted booming of a distant bell, the 
dying cadence of an Holian harp, the note of a pitch-pipe or pitch- 
fork, or any other long-drawn-out musical note. It was, at first, sup- 
posed to be music from Parell floating at intervals on the breeze; then 
it was perceived to come from all directions, almost in equal strength, 
and to arise from the surface of the water all around the vessel. The 
boatmen at once intimated that the sounds were produced by fish, 
abounding in the muddy creeks and shoals around Bombay and Sal- 
sette ; they were perfectly well known, and very often heard. Accord- 
ingly, on inclining the ear towards the surface of the water; or, better 
still, by placing it close to the planks of the vessel, the notes appeared 
loud and distinct, and followed each other in constant succession, 
The boatmen next day produced specimens of the fish — a creature 
closely resembling in size and shape the fresh-water perch of the north 
of Europe—and spoke of them as plentiful and perfectly well known. 
1tis hoped they may be procured alive, and the means afforded of 
determining how the musical sounds are produced and emitted, with 
other particulars of interest supposed new in Ichthyology.. We shall 
be thankful to receive from our readers any information they. can give 
us in regard to a phenomenon which does not appear to have been 
heretofore noticed, and which cannot fail to attract the attention of 
the naturalist. Of the perfect accuracy with which the singular facts: 
above related have been given no doubt will be entertained when it is 
mentioned that the writer was one of a party of five intelligent persons, 


Fishes. T181° 


by all of whom they were most carefully observed, and the impressions . 
of all of whom in regard to them were uniform. It.is supposed that» 
the fish are confined to particular localities — shallows, estuaries and 
muddy creeks, rarely visited by Europeans ; and that this is the reason: 
why hitherto no mention, so far as we know, has been made. of. the. 
peculiarity in any work on Natural History.” 

I should observe that these observations date but one year previously 
to those of Sir Emerson Tennent’s, who was at Chilka late in 1848, 
eleven years before the publication of bis work on Ceylon. . But we 
have other independent witnesses. In 1858 the present, Governor. of 
Ceylon visited Chilka Lake, and this, be it observed, is a year prior to 
the publication of the fact by Sir Emerson Tennent. This gentleman 
says, 

“J ought not to take my leave of Batticaloa, which I may not have 
an opportunity of revisiting, without mentioning the natural pheno- 
mencen for which its lake is remarkable—the singing fish. I was too ill 
during my stay in 1857 to expose myself in the night air upon, the 
water; and 1 confess that, in spite of the impression then made upon 
my fellow travellers, amongst whom were Major-General Lockyer and 
Captain Gosset, I went out upon the present occasion with a consider- 
able amount of incredulity, and was the last to believe the evidence of 
my own senses, Dr. Johnston being satisfied as tu the existence. of.a 
sound apparently proceeding from the water long before I could realize 
it; but after changing the position of the boat once or twice, there 
could be no doubt about the matter. The sound rose and swelled, 
and absolutely vibrated about us in a manner that left no question as 
to the fact, whatever may be the causes, Its character is indescribable. 
It is mot like any other sound. Itis only heard at night. It has 
nothing harmonious or musical about it. ‘There are no modulations, 
no variety of notes, except what the increase and decrease in strength 
produced. .As to its origin, nobody knows anything. | ]t may. be the 
fish to whom it is popularly attributed ; it may be the rush of air 
through rocks partially hollowed. There is nothing but conjecture to 
guide us in this respect. _ The results all can vouch for. And. these 
results are certainly most distinct within a limited distance from. the. 
shore, though heard occasionally in deep water. 1 .am_no naturalist; 
l-can only state what I personally saw and experienced. Others must 
explain it. Something similar, it is said, occurs in the Bay of Naples. 
It.is strange that between Naples and Batticaloa there should be this 
one’ point.of resemblance.” 

Next follows an extract from a letter published in the ‘ Bombay 


7182 Fishes. 


Times’ a few weeks subsequently to the publication of his first notice 
in the same journal. 

Musical Kish.—Sir,—In a late number of the ‘ Times’ I noticed 
some remarks respecting the musical fish as they have been rather 
aptly termed ; and it may be interesting to the readers of the ‘ Times’ 
to be informed that the existence of a similar phenomenon has long 
been known to the residents at Vizagapatam. I have heard the musical 
sounds, like prolonged notes on a harp, when rowing at the back water 
at that station ; and they were generally supposed to proceed from the 
fish coming in contact with the sides of the boat. To the best of my 
recollection the sounds were never heard at a distance from it.” Viza- 
gapatam is on the Coromandel coast, 498 miles from Madras, the shores 
abounding in shallow creeks like those of Ceylon. 

The last extract is from the ‘ Journal of the Samarang,’ and written 
by Dr. Adams, surgeon and naturalist to the expedition, 

“While on board the brig ‘ Ariel,’ then lying off the mouth of the 
river of Borneo, | had the good fortune to hear that solemn aquatic 
concert of the far-famed organ fish or drum —a species of Pogonias. 
These singular fishes produce a loud monotonous singing sound, which 
rises and falls and sometimes dies away, or assumes a very low drumming 
character ; and the noise appeared to proceed mysteriously from the 
bottom of the vessel. This strange submarine chorus of fishes con- 
tinued to amuse us for about a quarter of an hour, when the music, if 
so it may be called, suddenly ceased, probably on the dispersion of 
the band of performers.” 

These various narratives, too diversified to be repetitions of each 
other, too similar to be mere inventions independent of each other, 
contain intrinsic evidence of truthfulness, quite irrespective of that 
credence to which the position of the several writers so eminently 
entitles them. I entertain no shadow of doubt that the phenomenon 
has been faithfully recorded in the true spirit which Natural History 
requires and generates. Nevertheless, the mind is naturally slow at 
receiving facts opposed to the ordinary evidence of our senses. The 
belief that fishes are dumb has become of universal acceptance ; but 
waiving this accepted creed, what is the character of that sound? If 
vocal, where are the organs of voice situated? If not vocal, by what 
other process are these musical sounds produced? I shall be extremely 
obliged for communications on this most interesting subject. 

Epwarp NEWMAN. 


Notices of New Books. 7183 


Notices oF NEw Books. 


©The Ibis: a Magazine of General Ornithology. Edited by Putiip 
LutvLey ScraTer, M.A., F.L.S., &c. Nos. 5, 6 and 7; re- 
spectively 104 pp., 98 pp., and 108 pp.; and two or three 
coloured litho. plates. London: Triibner. January, April and 
July, 1860. Price 6s. each. 


The general character of this Journal is fully explained in a former 
number of the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6946). I have now only to give a 
summary of the contents of the three numbers :— 


Contents of No. 5. 


Notes on Birds observed in the Ionian Islands, and the Provinces 
of Albania proper, Epirus, Acarnania and Montenegro. By the Hon. 
Thomas L. Powys, F.Z.S. 

On Birds collected or observed in the Republic of Honduras, with 
a short account of a journey across that country from the Pacific to 
the Atlantic Ocean. By George Cavendish Taylor, F.R.G.S. Part I. 

On the Eggs of two Raptorial Birds from the Falkland Islands. 
By Philip Lutley Sclater. 

Note on Wallace’s Standard-wing (Semioptera Wallacet). By Philip 
Lutley Sclater. 

Contributions to the Ornithology of Guatemala. By Osbert Salvin 
and Philip Lutley Sclater. 

The Ornithology of Amoy (China). By Robert Swinhoe, of H.M. 
Consular Service. 

On the Ornithology of Northern Africa. By the Rev. H. B. Tris- 
tram, M.A., F.L.S. Part III. The Sahara (continued). : 

Note on the Migratory Habits of the Song Thrush (Turdus musicus). 
‘By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.LS. 


Contents of No. 6. 


On the asldiios to the British Fauna of Pallas’s Three-toed Sand- 
grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus). By Thomas John Moore, Keeper of 
the Free Public and Derby Museum, Liver ‘pool. 

On Birds collected or observed in the Republic of Honduras, with 
“a short account of a journey across that country from the Pacific to 
‘the Atlantic Ocean. By George Cavendish Taylor, F.R.G.S. Part II. 

On the Nidification of certain Birds in North-eastern Africa. By 
Baron Richard Kénig von Warthausen. 

Additions and Corrections to the ‘ Ornithology of Amoy.’ By Robert 
Swinhoe, of H.M. Consular Service. 

Notes on Birds observed in the Ionian Islands, and the Provinces 
of Albania proper, Epirus, Acarnania and Montenegro. Part I]. By 
the Hon. Thomas L. Powys, F.Z.S. 


7184 Notices of New Books. 


The Ornithology of Northern Celebes. By Alfred Russell Wallace. 

On an undescribed Species of Hawk from New Granada. By 
Philip Lutley Sclater. . 

On the Ornithology of Northern Africa. By the Rev. H. B. Tris- 
tram, M.A., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. Part IV. Lake Halloula. 

Ornithological Notes of the Voyage of the ‘ Fox’ in the Arctic Seas. 
By David Walker, M.D., late Naturalist on board the ‘ Fox.’ 

On the Eggs of the Nutcracker and Parrot Crossbill. By the Rev. 
H. B. Tristram, M.A., F.L.S. 

Note on the Eggs of the Kared Vulture and the Wedgetailed Eagle. 
By J. H. Gurney, M.P., F.Z.S. 

Memoir of the late John Wolley. 


Contents of No. 7. 


On Birds collected in the Colony of Natal, in South-eastern Africa. 
By John Henry Gurney, M.P., F.Z.S. 

On Birds collected or observed in the Republic of Honduras, with 
a short account of a journey across that country from the Pacific to 
the Atlantic Ocean. By G. Cavendish Taylor, F.R.G.S. Part IIL. 

Notes on Birds observed in the Ionian Islands, and the Provinces 
of Albania proper, Epirus, Acarnania and Montenegro. By the Hon. 
Thomas L. Powys, F.Z.S._ Part III. 

On the Habits of the Swallowtailed Kite (Hlanvides furcatus). By 
Robert Owen, C.M.Z.S. 

On Birds collected in the Somali country, Eastern Aftica, By 
Captain J. H. Speke, F.R.G:S. 

History of the Derbyan Mountain Pheasant (Oreophasis Derbianus). 
By Osbert Salvin, M.A., F.Z.S. 

Recollections of the Swans and Geese of Hudson’s Bay. - By 
George Barnston. 

Notes on the Humming Birds of Guatemala. By Osbert Salvin, 
M.A., F.Z.S. 

Contributions to the Ornithology of Guatemala. By Osbert Salvin 
and Philip Lutley Sclater. Part IL. 

Note on the Egg and Nestling of the Californian Vulture. By 
Philip Lutley Sclater. 

Ornithological Notes from Mesolonghi and Southern Atolia. By 
W. K. Simpson, M.A., F.Z.S. 


Each number also contains notices of recent ornithological works, 
and extracts from correspondence. The character of the work is fully 
maintained in these three quarterly parts. 


Natural History versus Geography, &c. 7185 


Natural History versus Geography and Others: a Plea in a Great 
Cause. By the Rev. Huey A. Stowe xt, M.A. 


In this day and generation of ours, when popular education is the 
fashionable mania (I say it not disparagingly), and when Science and 
Art are with more or less success attempted to be popularised by so 
many and often by so gifted minds and pens, is it not matter for sur- 
prise and regret that Natural History as a branch of national education 
should have found so few advocates compared with the other “ graphies” 
and “ ologies ” that it has been almost excluded from the all-embracing 

scheme of the Committee of Privy Council ? 

For the large majority of the pupils of our national schools, much 
that they learn—we may take Geography as a by no means extreme 
example—can never have any practical use beyond the general expan- 
sion it may give to their minds. Now surely the study of Natural 
History would produce this effect in at least an equal degree, while 
at the same time it possesses this great advantage in addition, that it 
would generally prove far more attractive, and would therefore be more 
heartily taken up and more readily remembered than most of the 
subjects now taught in our schools. That this last is a point of no 
small importance, all who have witnessed how much is usually forgotten, 
and how soon after leaving school, will be ready to admit. 

Moreover, my own experience, so far as it has gone, convinces me 
that, educate as you will, you will never make the mass of our rural 
population readers, unless indeed a radical change in the circum- 
stances of their daily life shall at some future time give an external 
impulse to their minds. Taken from school at a very early age,— 
obliged to toil from dawn till almost dark under the soporific influence 
of the open air,—their homes too often comfortless and lacking the 
needful privacy,—and above all wanting themselves in a great measure 
the sharpening contact one with another which a busy town affords,— 
their work solitary and their dwellings far apart,— is it, I ask, reason- 
able to expect that they will acquire a taste for habitual reading of 
any kind? 

- Yet while experience, backed by reason, leads me to despair of 

making this class readers, it only confirms my belief that they may be 

made observers—close and rational observers. Thus it is by calling 

forth and stimulating and training their powers of observation that it 

seems to me you have the best chance of expanding and elevating 

their minds ; and for this purpose what means so effectual as the study 
XVIII. 3=E 


7186 Natural History versus Geography, &c. 


of Natural History can be proposed? But in order to secure the 
desired end Nature must not be “ got up” from books, technically 
and scientifically, and committed to memory as a task, but rather read 
in her own simple though sublime language, and studied in her own 
pleasant way, which, by appealing persuasively at once to the senses 
and to the higher faculties, is sure to make a deeper and more 
lasting impression on the mind and memory than the mere “ rote” 
system. This is only to be accomplished by lessons on objects. I 
would have every teacher able to take his or her pupils out into the 
lanes and fields and woods, and there to open up to them the beautiful 
workings of God in Nature, which are of necessity secrets hidden from, 
or at best mysteries dimly revealed to, the untaught eye. The won- 
drous unfolding of the flowers from seed to fruit,—their hidden uses 
to man,—the curious forms of insect life they nourish, each one its 
own,—the mysterious powers of seeming sensibility wherewith some of 
them are endowed,— the remarkable adaptation of others to their 
peculiar circumstances of soil and climate,— the many minute testi- 
monies they one and all bear to the wisdom and goodness of their and 
our Creator ;—in this branch of Natural History alone is there not 
endless matter for useful lessons, and would they not prove as in- 
teresting as useful? Then, again, a little trouble in collecting a few 
specimens, and a small outlay for a microscope, what a vast store of 
interest and instruction would they provide against the rainy days of - 
winter ! 

When the children thus taught come to leave school, there are the 
books they have learnt to read and to love all around them —in the 
fields turned up by the ploughshare, in the hedges laid bare by the bill, 
by the highways and by-ways as they go to work, in their gardens and at 
their doors when their day’s work is done. The great volume is open - 
before them always and everywhere—open to the very poorest “ without 
money and without price”—open to the most wearied and toil-worn 
without a long walk to the library to fetch it. How then can they 
help reading from it, if once its language has been interpreted and 
become familiar to them? And reading, how can they help being 
interested—reflecting—improving their minds? True the same volume 
is open to the untaught, but how open? Just as a book that you may 
set before an infant; it may see the letters, it may crow over the 
pictures ; but it understands nought of it. Oras a child just begimning 
to spell may tell over every letter upon the page, and even oc 
them all, but yet is none the wiser for them. Lsriritl 

So is it with him who, untaught in his younger days, sees a’ great” 


Quadrupeds. 7187 


deal of what Nature is doing around him, and perhaps feels a sort of 
admiration of it at times, and it may be even goes further still, and 
compares some two or three of the things he has seen in his mind; 
nevertheless he cannot comprehend them ; he knows not the why and 
wherefore of them, nor even what they mean. Of course he is com- 
paratively uninterested, and most of what he sees is lost upon him. 
It merely passes before his eyes and over his mind without leaving a 
trace behind. 

It may seem a piece of unwarrantable presumption in one who freely 
acknowledges his comparatively limited experience to speak thus con- 
fidently on a subject of such transcendent importance as that of edu- 
cation, but feeling strongly on this point it is my earnest desire to aid, 
in however lowly degree, in calling that attention to the subject which 
it surely deserves, but has certainly not hitherto received. 

May I be permitted, in conclusion, to express my fervent hope and 
trust that the day is not very far distant in which the Sacred Volume 
of Nature—every letter of it, remember, bearing the autograph Divine 
—will no longer be allowed to remain a sealed book to any village 
scholar in Great Britain. Then many a poor labourer will go forth to 
his daily toil cheered by its glorious utterances written in his head 
and on his heart, while its ever open pages invite him to a fresh lesson 
of love from day to day, to his great and endless benefit, and to his 
_ Creator’s higher glory. 

Hueu A. STOWELL. 


Christ Church, Manghold, Isle of Man, 
August 31, 1860. 


Zoological Phenomena.—The reader will please observe that the proprietor of the 
*Zoologist’ receives nothing for the advertisements reprinted below. They are 
preserved as literary curiosities, and are valuable as bearing conclusive evidence to 
the state of Natural History education in 1791 and 1860. There must be a public 
attracted by such advertisements, the advertisers being tvo wise iu their generation to 
pay so dearly for their love of fun. 

bi 


The Greatest Living Curiosi'y in Europe. 


i R. BROADBENT has received instructions to SELL BY AUCTION, 

Lon Monday next, July 30, 1860, at one o'clock, at the London Hotel, Bridge- 
street, the ZEBU BULL, that was taken from Nana Sahib and his followers the 
night after the siege of Lucknow. This extraordinary animal contains five distinct 
and pure breeds—firstly, the head of the calf; secondly, the legs of the antelope; 
thirdly, the feet of the deer; fourthly, the hump of the camel; and fifthly, the tail 
and hind quarters of the lion, It also possesses the extraordinary faculty of moving 
its horns at pleasure. To noblemen, gentlemen, zoologists and others, the above 
animal is especially recommended to their notice. On view morning of sale.— From 
the‘ Manchester Courier’ of July 4, 1860. 


7188 Quadrupeds, &c. 


The Wombwell of the last Century.—Copied verbatim et literatim from the 
‘Kentish Gazette’ of December 16, 1791. 


R. FOSCO'S Collection of WILD BEASTS —from various parts of the 
world. To be seen at the Cattle-market without St. George’s gate, Canterbury, 
every lawful day from 10 o'clock in the morning till night. 

This curious collection was shown before His Majesty, and all the Royal Family, 
the Duke of Montagu, Lords Chesterfield, Courtney and Sidney, and a great number 
of the nobility, at Weymouth, the 16th day of July, 1789. 

I. The Noble Hunting Tycer from Bengal. II. A Young Sea Lron from the 
Cape of Good Hope. The Keeper is obliged to wash him in water every day. 
III. Is the Erniopran Savace, or the Harry May, 5 feet 3 inches high, and as stout 
as any person: the only one in the Kingdom. This Wonderful production of Nature 
has body, breasts, arms, and fingers entirely like a Christian [Query, as to the 
anatomical distinction between Christians and Heathens?], and is so sensible as to 
understand every word the keeper says to him! IV. Is the Ouran-OurTance or the 
Witv Man from the West Indies. V. Isa very curious Porcupine. This astonishing 
creature was bred upon the coast of Barbary: it is half a bird and half a beast; every 
quill on his body is 18 inches long: when he shoots his quills, he throws them 
150 yards from his body: and each quiil is as hard as iron. [An able-bodied volunteer 
that!| VI. Is (sic) the Muscovire Cars, a male and female, striped like a Tyger, 
and spotted like a Leopard, the only two alive in England. VII. Is the JacKatt, or 
Lion’s Provider. This creature goes 5 or 6 miles in the forest to provide for the Lion, 
and what he cannot carry he will conduct the Lion to. VIII. Is the AmERican 
Monster [Legree?]. IX. Is the little Jenny Jip, the Night-walker, 72 years of age. 
X. The Unknown Anrmac from Borany Bay, brought to England by Captain Lee, 
in the Ship Rover: the legs are straight and beautiful, and the feet much like a 
chicken’s; its head like a rabbit, and a back like a pig; and has been viewed by some 
few of the Eminent philosophers in England; but they cannot give the Animal a 
Name as yet.—And many other animals and birds too tedious to mention. 

*,* When shown the Birds and Animals are clean, young [this implies a 
tolerable longevity in the above-mentioned Miss Jane Jip, whoever she may be], and 
pleasing, adapted to the inspection of Naturalists, and those who admire the Novelties 
of the Creation. The largest beasts are so secured in iron dens that Ladies and Gentle- 
men may see them with the greatest safety—Ladies and Gentlemen Is.; Trades- 
men 6d.; Working People 3d. 

KS Now, Ladies and Gentlemen,—you may have the opportunity of seeing 
this noble collection of wild Beasts, consisting of the large Sea Lion, the Hunting 
Tyger, the Chief Justice of the brute creation [their Judge Jeffreys rather], a pair of 
Muscovy Cats, the young Cuongrow, the Porcupine, and a number of birds and beasts 
too tedious to mention. 


Migration of Birds.—A year or two ago, happening to be engaged in making a 
tour in the Mediterranean, and being, on the 21st of April, on board a steam-vessel 
exactly half way between the Island of Cerigo and Malta, on my way to the latter 
place, a large number of birds flew on board, evidently performing their annual 
migration from the coast of Africa. They were principally the common titlark, 
though among the number were wheatears, a fern owl or two, as well as various 
swallows; the whole of them seemed much fatigued. Flights of turtle doves passed 
the ship the whole day; a few alighted for a few minutes in the rigging, but 
showing no symptoms whatever of exhaustion, and high over head were flocks of 
vultures vr eagles, proceeding as leisurely as rouks of an evening on the way to their 
roosting-places. Now the distance of the spot I mention from the coast of Africa in 
two directions is just 240 miles, and, as near as possible, just about as far from the 
coast of Italy, as well as the Morea. The flight of these birds from land to land, 
therefore, could not have been less than 480 miles. Many of the titlarks, though in a 


Birds. 7189 


state of exhaustion, left the ship, to my astonishment, after a rest of an hour or so only, 
and proceeded on their journey, flying but a few feet apparently from the surfave of the 
water. The weather at this time was beautifully fine. At Malta, a few days after, a 
friend who had been at sea about the same time infurmed me that a flight of the small 
passerine ow] had alighted on board his ship; and in the market I observed quantities 
vf these owls, as well as bee-birds, and a number of common cuckoos, which, it appeared, 
had been caught at night in the quail-nets. How such a bird as a titlark can perform 
at a stretch such a journey as a sea voyage of 480 miles is one of the facts far beyond 
our comprehension, but that they do so my statement is surely sufficient ocular demon- 
stration of.—From the ‘ Field’ of September 8, 1860. 


Suggestions for forming Collections of Birds’ Eggs. By ALFRED 
NewrTon, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.8., &c.* 


1. General Remarks. 


THE collecting of bird’s eggs for scientific purposes requires far 
more discrimination than the collecting of specimens in almost any 
other branch of Natural History. While the botanist, and generally 
speaking the zoologist, at home, is satisfied as long as he receives the 
_ Specimens in good condition, with labels attached giving a few con- 
cise particulars of when and where they were obtained, it should be 
always borne in mind that to the oologist such facts, and even the 
specimens themselves, are of very slight value unless accompanied by 
a statement of other circumstances which will carry conviction that 
the species to which the eggs belong has been accurately identified, 
and the specimens subsequently carefully authenticated. Consequently 
precision in the identification of bis specimens should be the principal 
object of an egg-collector, to attain which all others must give way. 
There are perhaps few districts in the world, and certainly no regions 
of any extent, whose faunas are so well known that the most rigid 
identification may be dispensed with. Next to identifying his speci- 
mens, the most important duty of an egg-collector is to authenticate 
them by marking them in some manner and on some regular system 
as will leave no doubt, as long as they exist, of their having been 
obtained by him, and of the degree of identification to which they 
were subjected. Neatness in the mode of emptying the shells of their 
contents and other similar matters are much to be commended; they 
render the specimens more fitted for the cabinet, But the main 
points to be attended to, as being those by which science can alone 
- be benefited, are identification and authentication. 


* Reprinted, with additions, from the Circular of the Smithsonian Institution of 
Washington. 


7190 Birds. 


2. Identification. 


The most satisfactory, and often the simplest, way of identifying 
the species to which a nest of eggs, when found, belongs, is to obtain 
one of the parents by shooting, snaring or trapping. But it sometimes, 
in practice, happens that this is found to be difficult from one cause 
or another, such as the wary instincts of the birds, or the necessities 
of his position compelling the traveller to lose no time, or the scarcity 
_ of the species making him unwilling to destroy the individuals. In 
any of these cases there is nothing to be done but to make as careful 
an examination as circumstances will admit of the precise situation of 
the nest, the materials of which it is composed (supposing that the 
collector cannot bring it away with him), and accurately to survey 
the surrounding locality, to observe by what species it is frequented ; 
all the particulars of which examination and survey should be fully 
noted down at the earliest opportunity possible. Should, however, 
either or both the birds be killed, they should be skinned, or at least 
some characteristic part of each preserved,* and duly labelled to cor- 
respond with the inscriptions subsequently put on the eggs, and always 
with a reference to the collector's journal or note-book, wherein fuller 
details may be found. 

The oologist is especially warned not to be misled by the mere fact 
of seeing birds around or near the nests. Many of the crow family 
(Corvide) are great eaters of eggs, and mistakes are known to have 
originated from birds of that kind being seen near nests of which they 
were certainly not the owners. Others, such as the titmice (Paride), 
though not plunderers, obtain their food by incessantly seeking it, 
even in the very localities where many species build. It often happens, 
also, that two different birds have their nests situated very close to 
one another ; and if they be allied species the collector may be easily 
deceived. Thus, it has come to the writer’s knowledge that the dun- 
lin (Tringa alpina) and the purple sandpiper (Tringa maritima) have 
have had their nests only a few feet apart. At first a pair of the latter 
only were seen, which by their actions betrayed their uneasiness. <A 
short search discovered a nest with four eggs. The observer was one 
of the best practical oologists then living, and his eye at once saw 


* Birds may be preserved entire by simply pouring (through a small funnel) a few 
drops of pyroligneous acid down their throats, and saturating the feathers, especially 
about the vent, with the same fluid; after leaving them to dry for an hour or so, they 
may be wrapped in paper and packed. This fact was kindly communicated to me by 
Mr. John Hancock, and I have since made successful trial of the plan. 


Birds. 7191 


that it was not the nest which he wanted ; but a less experienced man 
would doubtless have immediately concluded that he had found the 
eggs of the rarer species. Indeed it may, generally speaking, be said 
of most birds that whenever they have nests of their own they are 
also acquainted with those of their neighbours, which by their actions 
they will often betray to the collector who may be patiently watching 
them. Birds, again, will occasionally lay their eggs—accidentally, as 
it were—in the nests of other species, even when they are not, as the 
Old World cuckoos (Cuculus, Hudynamis and Oxylophus) or the cow 
blackbird (Molothrus Pecoris), of a parasitic nature; thus, eggs of the 
eider duck (Somateria mollissima) have been found in the nest of a 
gull (Larus), and other similar cases are on record, in some of which, 
from the species being nearly allied, confusion might easily have arisen, 
though at the time no doubt may have occurred in the collector’s 
mind. 

It would be impossible in this paper to treat of the various methods 
which may be successfully employed to obtain the birds to whom a 
nest belongs, and, in fact, these methods can generally be only learned 
by experience. It is sufficient to indicate here the use of traps, snares, 
hingles or bird-lime, in cases where the individuals are too shy to 
admit of being shot by the gun or rifle. Much may often be gathered 
by the collector from the practice of the natives, especially if they be 
savages or half civilized. In like manner it would too much extend 
these suggestions to give a detailed account of the different ways in 
which the nests of birds are to be found. The experience of a single 
season is to most men worth a whole volume that might be written on 
the subject. Nevertheless, a few hints are given further on, which 
might not occur to the beginner. 


3. Authentication. 


~ The most complete method of authenticating eggs is that of writing 
in ink on their shells,* not only the name of the species to which 
each belongs, but also, as far as the space will admit, as many parti- 


* A few possessors of egg-cabinets have a great aversion to specimens which have 
been written upon in the manner here recommended. With all deference to their 
example I cannot yield to what I am compelled to consider a prejudice, and a pre- 
judice which may indirectly lead to very mischievous consequences. The neat and 
ingeniously-prepared tickets or labels which are used by many persons are not 
of themselves the slightest guarantee for the authenticity of the specimens to 
which they are affixed, as the process of removal and substitution is one of the easiest 
imaginable. 


7192 Birds. 


culars relating to the amount of identification to which the specimen 
was subjected, the locality where, date when, and name of the person 
by whom they were taken, adding always a reference to the journal or 
note-book of the collector, wherein fuller details may be given. It is 
advisable to do this on some regular system, and the following method 
is suggested as one that has already been found to work well in prac- 
tice. The scientific names only to be used, except with a mark of 
doubt or within brackets, when the specimens have really been satis- 
factorily identified ; and if the identification has been made by obtain- 
ing one or both of the parent birds a memorandum of the fact to be 
added, thus: “ Both birds snared,” “ Bird shot,” or in smaller space, 
“Bd. st.” If the identification has been effected only by obtaining 
a good view of the birds the fact should be stated thus: “ Bird well 
seen,” Bird seen,” or “‘ Bd. sn.,” as the case may be. For eggs not taken 
by the collector himself, but brought in by natives, or persons not 
having ascientific knowledge of Ornithology, the local name or the name 
applied by the finder should only be used, unless, indeed, it requires 
interpretation, when the scientific name may be added, but always 
within brackets, thus: “ Tooglee-aiah (Sqguatarola helvetica) ,” the 
necessary particulars relating to the capture and identification being 
added. Eggs found by the collector and not identified by him, but 
the origin of which he has reason to think he knows; may be inscribed 
with the common English name of the species to which he refers them ; 
or if it has no such appellation then the scientific name may be used, 
but in that case always with a note of interrogation (?) after it, or else 
the words “ Not identified.” Ifthe collector prefers it, many of these 
particulars may be inscribed symbolically or in short hand, but never 
unless the system used has previously been agreed upon with persons 
at home, and it be known that they have a key to it. Each specimen 
should bear an inscription; those from the same nest may be 
inscribed identically ; but different nests, especially of the same or 
nearly allied species, should never be so marked that confusion can 
possibly arise. It is desirable to mark temporarily with a pencil each 
egg as itis obtained; but the permanent inscription, which should 
always be in ink, should be deferred until after the egg has been 
emptied. The number terminating the inscription in all cases referring 
to\the entry in the collector’s note-book, wherein full details will be 
found, and the words or letters preceding the number serving to dis- 
tinguish between different collectors, no two of whom ought to employ 
the same. The initial letter of the collector’s name prefixed to the 
number will often be sufficient. te 


Birds. 7193 


4. Description of Egg-blowing Implements. 


Figs. 1, 2 and 3 represent “drills” for making neat and circular 
holes in the shell. These drills should be made of the best steel that 
can be procured, and of different sizes. Fig. 1 is meant for the 
smallest eggs, even humming birds’, up to those say of a song thrush 
{Turdus musicus). The grooves forming the drilling surface should be 
cut with a chisel. Fig. 2 will suit the generality of eggs, excepting 
those of very large birds and sea-fowl, Fig, 3. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. 
which usually lay eggs with a strong but 
soft shell. The grooves may be cut either 
with a chisel or a file, but if with the 
latter greater care will be requisite in its 
use. Fig. 3 is intended for the largest 
eggs, and even some of the smaller ones 
which have a chalky shell, such as Croto- 
phaga. The grooves are cut with a file. 

_ In the manufacture of all these drills the 
greatest care is necessary that the grooves 
should lie parallel to one another, and that 
their edges should be smooth. The 
smaller the drill the more acute should be 
the angle it forms at the point. The drills 
may be fitted with handles or not accord- 
ing to fancy. ‘Those with handles are 
less likely than the others to cramp the fingers of the performer, an 
inconvenience which often causes breakages. 

_ A separate sketch is given with the enlarged views (figs. 2a, 2b) of 
the end of a drill,* in order to show more plainly the manner in which 

_ the grooves should be cut. 

_ Figs. 4 and 5 represent blowpipes for emptying eggs. They are 
best made of metal, and for this purpose nickel (or German silver) is 

_ preferable, as being less liable to rust. A collector should have two 
sizes, as a large pipe is not convenient for small eggs, and a small 
one causes loss of time in blowing large eggs. They should be 


Figs. 1, 2, 3, full size. 2a, 2b, enlarged, 


~ * The great object to be attained is the formation of a circular hole with smooth 
edges. Collectors not having such a drill as is here recommended will find a common 
nail or a three-cornered needle a useful substitute, but either must be used with extreme 
care. A rat-tailed file sharpened to a point at the end is also an effective instrument, 
as I am kindly informed by the Rey. S. C. Malan, who prefers it to the drill recom- 
mended in the text. 


XVIII. 3 F 


7194 Birds. 


be made as light as possible, or they may slip from the mouth and 
break the egg being operated on. The chief point to be attended to 
in their construction is that the lower orifice should be as large as the 
size of the pipe permits. It is of course necessary that they should 
be perfectly smooth outside, towards the lower end.* 

Fig. 6 represents a tube for emptying small eggs by suction. The 
bulb is to receive the contents of the egg and prevent them from reach- 
ing the mouth of the operator and thus causing nausea. This instrument 
is best made of thin glass, as thereby it can be easily kept clean. 
The same remark applies to this as to the last with respect to the size 
of the lower orifice. 

A piece of thin wire (fig. 7), long enough to pass entirely through 
the tubes, should be always kept at hand by the operator to remove 


Fig. 4, Fig. 7. Fig.5. Fig. 8. Fig. 6. 


Half size. Full size. 


obstructions which are likely to occur from small pieces of the embryo 
or half-dried yelk being accidentally drawn into the tubes or blow- 
pipes. : 
Fig. 8 represents a syringe, which will be found useful in rinsing 
out the inside of an egg. It may be made of any metal, Pore the 


* In the absence of a blowpipe, a reed, straw or gree stalk, will be found to bea 
tolerably efficient substitute. 


Birds, 7195 


pewter ones are apt, from their weight, to be clumsy. Nickel is 
recommended, as for the common blowpipes. The lower orifice should 
be as large as possible. The ring at the top should be large enough 
for the insertion of the operator’s right thumb — as it must be remem- 
bered that he has to work it with one hand. 

Figs. 9 and 10 represent scissors of shapes likely to be found very 
useful ; fig. 9. for cutting through the bones of the embryo before it is 
extracted, and fig. 10 for cutting off portions of it while it is being 


Fig. 13. Fig. 12. Fig. 14. 


Fig. 11. 
Full size. 


A} 


Fig. 15 
\ 
N 


Fig. 16, 


Fig. 17. 


Half size. 


extracted by one of the hooks represented in figs. 11, 12 and 13, which 
‘should vary in size from that of an ordinary pin to that of stout wire. 
The length of their straight portions should be rather more than the 
diameter of the egg they are used on. 

_ Fig. 14 represents a knife with a curved blade, somewhat like a bill- 
hook, and may be useful in cutting up the embryo prior to extraction. 


7196 Birds. 


Figs. 15 and 16 represent a penknife and scalpel with elongated 
blades or shafts, to admit of their being introduced into the egg to cut 
up the embryo. Fig. 15 is also, perhaps, the best instrument with 
which to remove the lining membrane from the hole. This is done 
by inserting the blade perpendicularly, and slightly scraping the edge 
of the hole as soon as it is drilled. 

Fig. 17 represents a forceps for extracting the pieces of the embryo 
when cut up. The spring should not be too lively, as its resiliency 
may occasion breakage. The grasping surfaces should be roughened 
to prevent the pieces slipping.* 


5, Preparation of Specimens. 


Eggs are emptied with the least amount of trouble at one hole,t 
which should be made at the side of the specimens, as shown in the 
annexed engravings (figs. 18 and 19), with one of the drills already 
described (figs. 1, 2, 3). The hole should of course be proportioned to the 
size of the egg and the amount of incubation it has undergone. Eggs 
that are hard sat upon are more easily blown by being kept a few days, 
but the operation must not be deferred too long or they are apt to 
burst violently immediately on being punctured, though this may be 
avoided by holding them under water while the first incision is made. 
The hole being drilled, the lining membrane should be cleared away 
from the orifice with a penknife (fig. 15), by which means not only is 
the removal of the contents, but also the subsequent cleansing of the 


* Most, if not all, of the implements here described may be obtained of any 
surgical-instrument maker. I have pleasure in mentioning the name of Mr. J. Evrard, 
of 35, Charles Street, Middlesex Hospital, as that of the workman who for some years 
past has supplied several of my friends and myself. He fits up neat and convenient 
pocket-cases with a set of all the most useful tools for egg-blowing and bird-skinning. 
Mr. David Mackenzie, of 58, South Bridge, Edinburgh, I have been informed, furnishes 
drills, blowpipes, &c., and at a most reasonable rate. I believe that the Smithsonian 
Institution of Washington will, with its usual liberality, equip any of its correspondents 
in America according to their requirements. 

t Those who may still prefer to blow eggs by means of 
two holes are particularly requested not to make them at 
the ends of the eggs, nor at opposite sides, but on the same 
side (fig. 20). In this case the hole nearest the smaller © ¥ 
end of the egg should be the smallest, and the contents 
blown out at the other. Ifthe holes are made at the ends 
of the eggs it not only very much injures their appearance 
as cabinet specimens, but also prevents their exact dimen- 
sions from being ascertained accurately ; and if they are made at opposite sides the 
extent of the “ show surface ” is thereby lessened. 


Fig. 20. 


Birds. 7197 


specimen, facilitated. The small end of a blowpipe (figs. 4 and 5) 
should then be introduced, while the other extremity is applied to the 
mouth, and blown through, at first very gently. If the embryo is 


Fig. 18. Fig. 19, 


found to be moderately developed a stream of water should be intro- 
duced by means of a syringe (fig. 8), and the egg then gently shaken, 
after which the blowpipe may be again resorted to, until by the con- 
tinued use of both instruments, aided by seissors (figs. 9 and 10), 
hooks (figs. 11, 12 and 18), knives (figs. 14, 15 and 16), and forceps 
(fig. 17), the contents are completely emptied. After this the egg 
should be filled with water from the syringe, gently shaken, and blown 
out, a process which is to be repeated until its interior is completely 
cleansed, when it should be laid upon a pad of blotting paper or fine 
cloth, with the hole downwards, its position on the pad or cloth being 
occasionally changed until it is perfectly dry. During this time it 
should be kept as much as possible from the light, especially from the 
sunshine, as the colours are then more liable to fade than at any sub- 
sequent time. In the case of very small eggs, when fresh the contents 
may be sucked out by means of a bulbed tube (fig. 6), and the interior 
afterwards riused out as before. It is always advisable, as far as pos- 
sible, to avoid wetting the outside of the shell, as the action of water 
is apt to remove the “ bloom,” affect the colour, and in some cases 
alter the crystallization of the shell ; consequently dirt stains or dung 
spots should never be removed. While emptying the contents it is as 
well to hold the egg over a basin of water to avoid breakage in case of 
its slipping from the fingers. Should the yelk of the egg be dried up, 
a small portion of carbonate of soda may be introduced (but with great 
care that it does not touch the outer surface of the shell, in which case 
the colour is likely to be affected), and then the egg filled with water 
from the syringe, and left to stand a few hours with the hole upper- 


. most, after which the contents are found to be soluble, and are easily 


removed by the blowpipe, assisted by one of the hooks. It is almost 


7198 Birds. 


unnecessary to add, except for the benefit of beginners, that the mani- 
pulation of the different instruments requires extreme caution, but a 
few trials will give the collector the practice necessary for success. 
Eggs should never be written on until the shells are perfectly dry, or 
the ink will be found to run, and the inscription will be rendered 
illegible. Eggs with chalky shells, such as those of the anis (Croto- 
phaga), gannets and cormorants (Pelecanide), and others may be con- 
veniently marked by incising with a pin or the point of an egg-drill, 
so also those of the ptarmigans (Lagopus), care being taken in this 
case to select the dark-coloured patches to write upon. The inscriptions 
should always be placed on the same side as the hole or holes, and con- 
fined within the smallest limits possible. For drilling the hole or holes 
the side presenting the least characteristic markings should be selected. 
Eggs that are very hard sat upon, of whatever size they be, should 
be treated in the following manner, which is a method superior to any 
other known at present to the writer for preventing injury arising to 
them. The annexed engraving (fig. 21) shows a piece of paper, a 
number of which when gummed on to an egg, one over the other, and 
left to dry, strengthen the shell in such a manner 
that the instruments above described can be 
introduced through the aperture in the middle and 
O ge worked to the best advantage, and thus a fully 
formed embryo may be cut up, and the pieces 
extracted through a very moderately sized hole ; 
the number of thicknesses required depends of 
course greatly upon the size of the egg, the length 
of time it has been incubated, and the stoutness 
of the shell and the paper. Five or six is the least number that it is 
safe to use. Each piece should be left to dry before the next is 
gummed on. The slits in the margin cause them to set pretty smoothly, 
which will be found very desirable; the aperture in the middle of 
each may be cut out first, or the whole series of layers may be drilled 
through when the hole is made in the egg. For convenience sake 
the papers may be prepared already gummed, and moistened when 
put on (in the same way that adhesive postage labels are used): 
Doubiless patches of linen or cotton cloth would answer equally well. 
When the operation is over a slight application of water (especially if 
warm) through the syringe will loosen them so that they can be easily 
removed, and they can be separated from one another and dried to 
serve another time. The size represented in the sketch is that suitable 
for an egg of moderate dimension, such as that of a common fowl. 


Fig. 21. 


Birds. 7199 


The most effectual way of adopting this method of emptying eggs 
is by using very many layers of thin paper and plenty of thick gum, 
but this is of course the most tedious ; nevertheless it is quite worth 
the trouble in the case of really rare specimens, and they will be none 
the worse for operating upon from the delay of a few days, caused by 
waiting for the gum to dry and harden. The naturalist to whom this 
method first occurred has found it answer remarkably well in every 
case that it has been used, from the egg of an eagle to that of a 
humming bird, and among English oologists it has been generally 
adopted. | { 

The surest method of packing eggs so as to travel long distances 
and by rough modes of conveyance without receiving injury is to roll 
up each specimen separately in tow, flax, wool, or some similar material, 
so as to form a ball, and then to place these balls side by side in a 
good stout box, taking care that there be no room for them to shift 
their position. Those to whom this method may appear too trouble- 
some are recommended first to put a layer of one of the substances 
just mentioned at the bottom of the box, then a layer of eggs, upon 
these another layer of packing material, and so on until the box is 
completely filled. The box should then be shaken, and if any rattling 
of the contents is heard additional packing material is required. More 
breakages occur by the use of boxes too large for the number of eggs 
than the contrary. Asa general rule it may be stated that eggs if blown 
do not break against one another, but against the sides of the box ; if 
unblown, however, their weight renders it necessary to protect them from 
each other. On the other hand, the surest method of packing eggs so 
that they may arrive at their journey’s end broken is one which, though 
of course with the contrary intention, has often been recommended, viz., 
to place them in a box, filling up the interstices between them with 
bran, sawdust, corn or sand. The effects of this method are in one 
respect diverse; if the eggs be unblown they will, after sufficient jolting, 
be found at the bottom, if blown at the top of the box, but in either 
case the result will be the same, and many be smashed. There is, 
perhaps, no greater annoyance to an oologist than to receive from a 
correspondent a lot perhaps of valuable and carefully collected eggs 
broken through bad packing. 


6. Concluding Observations. 


The best allies of the collector are the residents in the country, 
whether aboriginal or settlers, and with them he should always endea- 
vour to cultivate a close intimacy, which may be assisted by the offer 


7200 Birds. 


of small rewards for the discovery of nests or eggs. He should, how- 
ever, always insist upon any nests found being shown to him zn situ, 
and the gratuities paid should be proportioned to his success in iden- 
tifying the species to which they belong. He should steadily refuse 
any but the most trifling remuneration for nests or eggs taken and 
brought to him. As a rule the eggs of the different species of plovers 
and sandpipers (Charadriade and Scolopacide) are those most wanted 
by oologists of all countries. These birds mostly breed in high 
northern latitudes, but they often choose elevated spots for nesting in 
more southern parallels. Their nests are nearly always difficult to 
find, even when the birds are discovered. Their habit is, if the ground 
be at all rough with herbage, to run off the nest for some distance 
before taking wing as the observer approaches ; if the ground be bare 
they will try to escape observation by squatting closely until they 
are almost trodden upon. The best method of finding them, and 
indeed the nests of some other species, is for the collector to conceal 
himself near the place where he has reason to believe the eggs are, 
and to endeavour to watch the bird as she returns to her nest— using 
a telescope if necessary ; but should this fail, after giving her time to 
settle herself upon it, to fire off a gun suddenly, or spring up and shout, 
when the bird, in her surprise, will often at once take wing from the 
nest, or at least without running many yards. To reach the nests of 
rock-building birds a man or boy can he lowered by a rope from the 
top, when it is accessible. ‘The rope should always be tied under the 
arms of the person lowered, as substances, detached from above by the 
friction of the rope, may, by falling on him, stun him for a moment, 
and cause him to lose his hold. But in all places and at all times an 
egg-collector should recollect that identification and authentication 
are his main objects, to attain which no trouble is too laborious, no 
care too great. 

It does not come within the scope of this paper to offer any remarks 
on the arrangement or method of exhibiting eggs in cabinets. What 
has been attempted is simply a series of suggestions for collectors in 
the field. They are especially urged to aid the study of Oology by 
exercising greater zeal than many have hitherto been wont to do in 
seeking and recording precise information relative to the specimens 
they procure, and that at the very time and place when only it may be 
sought and recorded. It follows of necessity that such information 
should not be neglected by oologists at home, but carefully entered 
and preserved in the catalogues of their collections, which all oologists 
ought to keep. In many cases they may prefer forming these cata- 


Birds, &c. 7201 


logues on their own plan; indeed for general collections of eggs they 
are obliged so to do; but to those who are content with a moderate 
series of the eggs of British birds only, the useful ‘Systematic Cata- 
logue’* of the Rev. S. C. Malan will be found of very great con- 
venience, though the plan recommended by that gentleman, of using 
tickets to distinguish the specimens instead of writing in ink on their 
shells, appears to the author, as has been stated above, to be liable to 
many grave objections. But with the simple substitution of inscrip- 
tions for tickets (which are so easily removable) Mr. Malan’s method 
seems deserving of very great commendation, for it is the comparative 
indelibility of the former which gives them so great an advantage 
over the latter as permanent records of identification and authentica- 
tion. 


ALFRED NEWTON. 
Elveden, Thetford, 


July 11, 1860. 


Instinct of the Common Partridge.—This season a pair of the common partridge 
selected the following extraordinary position for a place of incubation,—z. e. the top 
of an old barrel in a yard, at a considerable distance from a field, at Trumpington, 
Cambridgeshire, where six or seven chicks were duly hatched. Surely this may justly 
be termed instinct, for no other cause can be assigned than an instinctive foreboding 
in the parental birds of an approaching season that was likely to prove disastrous to 
its eggs and young, and has not the past almost unprecedented wet weather proved 
so, to our cost?) Never having met with a similar instinctive propensity in the 
partridge, I have ventured to send this note for insertion in the ‘ Zoologist.— 
S. P. Saville ; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge. 


Toads waiting for Moths attracted by Sugar.—There is a tree standing by the 
side of a ditch in the fens, which leans in, three feet and a half from the ground, two 
inches out of the perpendicular; there is a small hollow place in the stem, one inch 
deep and two inches wide, all the way from the ground growing wider upwards till it 
is lost. On this tree, three feet and a half from the ground, I sugar for insects, and 
several nights a large toad has ascended the tree to the sugar: it always sits quietly 
on the stem, and I never find it on any other tree, although there are several other 

trees, all ash. I believe its object is to take the insects that come to the sugar. 
~ Thave called the men at the railway bridge, which crosses the river near the spot, to 


S * ‘A Systematic Catalogue of the Eggs of British Birds,’ arranged with a view 
_to supersede the use of labels for eggs, by the Rev. S.C. Malan, M.A. London: 
John Van Voorst, 1, Paternoster Row. 1848. 8vo, pp. 170. Price 8s. 6d. 


VIII. 3G 


7202 Fishes, &c. 


see it, and one of the men and his wife saw it the other night, and took it down, but 
in less than half an hour it was there again; other persons have also seen it; and 
whenever I sugar the tree it is almost sure to be there. Strange as this may seem, I 
cannot find any other fact about it, although I have paid a deal of attention to the 
subject. I never find any insects on the tree if the toad is there. Has any other 
person met with a similar occurrence?—William Winter; Aldeby, near Beccles, 
August 22, 1860. 

[The fact of toads waiting at the foot of a sugared tree for the moths that may 
happen to fall off in a fit of intoxication has long been familiar to me; but I do not 
recollect a previous record of a toad climbing a tree with this object. The conjecture 
that the toads are attracted by the saccharine droppings has been hazarded, but is 
quite untenable; so is also the idea that Cossus ligniperda frequents the sugared 
willows for the sake of the sweets: beginners are very often led into this second 
mistake by seeing the female goat moths clinging to the bark, and depositing their 
eggs: if these young gentlemen would examine the mouth ‘of the goat moth they 
would find no honey-sucking apparatus; and in her tubular ovipositor, thrust deep 
into the crevices of the bark, they would discover the real object of her visits to the 
willow-bark.— Edward Newman.] 


Capture of a Sturgeon in Fresh Water.—It having been rumoured for some time 
past that a large fish was daily to be seen in the river at Hemingford-Grey, Hunting- 
donshire, a party of the lovers of aquatic sport set out in right good earnest to capture 
the talked-of monster, or for ever set at rest the story of the large fish in the pits of 
Hemingford Mills. The expedition succeeded, and a large sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) 
was taken, after some trouble and manceuvring in landing, on the 21st of August, 
1860. I annex its exact dimensions, &c.:—length, 7 feet; in girth, 3 feet; weight, 
112 Ibs. The fish was particularly rich in colouring, and presented a very fresh 
appearance.—S. P. Saville; Jesus Terrace, Cambridge. 


The Mollusca of the Firth of Clyde. By the Rev. ALFRED MERLE 
Norman, M.A. 


(Continued from p. 5887.) 


(I much regret that so long a time has elapsed since the publica- 
tion of the preceding portions of the paper. In removing from 
Leicestershire to my present residence some of the MSS. were mis- 
laid, and have only recently been found. 
_ Since the former parts were printed the results obtained by the 
Dredging Committee of Lamlash Bay, consisting of Dr. Greville, 
Rey. C. P. Miles and others, have been published in the ‘ Report of 
the British Association for the Advancement of Science for 18562 


Mollusks. 7203 


To this report it will be known that I refer when I attach the names 
“Greville and Miles” to any locality or note. The Committee again 
pursued their investigations in 1857, and during the autumn of that 
year I was myself at Lamlash for a few days’ dredging, and had the 
pleasure of meeting Professor Balfour, the only member of the Com- 
mittee then left upon the island.) 


Class III. PIEROPODA. 


Fam. II. Limacinide. 


Spirialis Flemingii (Fusus retroversus, Peracle Flemingii, Crania 
Flemingti? misprint). Mentioned by Dr. Landsborough as found at 
Lamlash. 


Class 1V. GASTEROPODA. 


Diy. 1. PRosoBRANCHIATA. 
Fam. I. Chitonide. 


Chiton fascicularis. Under stones at extreme low-water mark in | 
Balloch Bay, Cumbrae, and at the outer Allans, also at Lamlash. 

C. ruber. Uncommon; occasionally dredged attached to stones 
near Tan Buoy, Cumbrae, and between Clachland Point and Holy 
Island. Ayr, Smith. : 

C. cinereus (Chiton marginatus, Chiton fuscus). Abundant under 
stones between tide-marks, but not richly coloured; large specimens 
may be taken at the northern extremity of Fintry Bay, Cumbrae. 

C. Asellus (Chiton cinereus ?). Abundant in deep water attached 
to shells and stones. Full-grown specimens from the Clyde are 
always clothed with a black incrustation. 

B. levis. Rare, and always small, not much exceeding half an 
inch. I have taken it at low water, and with the dredge down to 
twenty fathoms. 

C. marmoreus (Chiton levigatus). Bute, Smith. Occasionally off 
the Tan Buoy, Cumbrae, and also within and outside Lamlash Bay. 
Mr. Alder’s cabinet contains a fine series from Rothesay Bay. 


Fam. Il. Patellide. 


Patella athletica. Mentioned by Dr. Landsborough. I have not 
met with it. 
*P, vulgata. Common, of course, but not so abundant as usual. A 
pretty variety is found at Scolag, in Bute, low-spired and strongly 
ribbed. This is a form that I have never observed elsewhere. It will 


7204 Mollusks. 


be found to be a general rule with regard to the limpet, that the nearer 
high-water mark the shell is taken, the higher spired, more strongly 
ribbed and smaller it will be; and that the lower down it lives, the 
flatter, less ribbed and larger it becomes. The above-mentioned form, 
which has the flat skin of the low-water variety, with the strong ribs 
of the high-water form, was found just beyond low-water mark. 

*P. pellucida (Patella cerulea). Not uncommon on Laminariz, but 
the specimens are always small. 

Acmea testudinalis (Lottia testudinalis, Patella testudinalis, 
Patella Clealandi). Few British shells can compete with this limpet 
in beauty. In the Clyde it is very abundant, though somewhat 
locally so. The kind of locality in which it should be looked for is 
among beds of large stones, when laid bare at the lowest spring 
tides; it rarely occurs except on detached pieces of rock. On 
the Bute shore, from Scolag round to Rothesay, it may be taken in 
great abundance. Varieties occasionally are of an uniform dark 
brown, while others are nearly pure white. Acmza testudinalis is a 
" peculiarly interesting mollusk, on account of its steady migration 
southwards. This fact is noticed by Forbes and Hanley, who trace 
its wanderings down the western coast from Scotland to Bangor, in 
Ireland, and, at a subsequent period, as far south as Dublin and the 
Isle of Man. At that time it was not known in the east of Scotlaud 
nor anywhere on the shores of England. A little later, however, it 
was met with in great abundance on the shores of the Moray Firth; 
in 1856 it was noticed in the Faroe Islands, Northumberland, by 
Mr. Tate, and at Whitburn, in Durham, by the Rev. G. C. Abbes; 
and in 1857 Mr. Albany Hancock fell in with it at Roker, yet further 
south on the coast of Durham. We have a strong proof that the 
species has only recently arrived at the last-named localities, in the 
fact that it has occurred in. spots which have been thoroughly 
explored by Dr. Johnston, Mr. Alder, Mr. Hancock .and other well- 
known naturalists, whose keen eyes could not have overlooked so 
conspicuous a shell. We shall probably hear before long that it has 
put in an appearance at Whitby or at Scarborough. 

*A. virginea (Lottia virginea, Patella virginea). On stones waa 
at roots of Laminariz from low-water mark to twelve fathoms; 
common. 

Pilidium fulvum (Patella Forbesii, Patella fulva, Pilidium rubrum). 
“This mollusk was first announced as a member of the British Fauna 
by Mr. Smith, of Jordan Hill, who dredged it in the Clyde, off Arran.” 
—I’.§ H. In one confined spot just outside Lamlash Bay, a little to 


Mollusks. 7205 


the south-east of Clachland Point, this beautiful little shell may be 
met with in some abundance. If the right ground be hit upon, the 
dredge will come up filled with stones, mixed with perfectly black and 
thoroughly rotten shells of Pecten opercularis. If the dredger suc- 
ceeds in finding this ground, he will be upon the most productive 
spot in the whole district of the Firth of Clyde. The careful exami- 
nation of the stones and Pecten shells from this locality has given me, 
among many others, the following shells, several of which do not 
oceur elsewhere in the district:—Astarte sulcata, Pecten tigrinus, 
P. striatus and P. similis, Terebratula Caput-Serpentis, Crania anomala, 
Pilidium fulvum, Puncturella noachina, Bulla Cranchii, Mangelia 
septangularis and P. teres, Trichotropis borealis, &c. Varieties of 
the Pilidium sometimes occur, having a pale ground marked with 
brilliant orange rays, while others, which are very rare, are wholly 
yellowish white. 

Propilidium alcyloide (Patella alcyloides) is another of the shells 
originally described as British from the Clyde. It “was added,” write 
Forbes and Hanley, “to the British Fauna by Mr. Smith, of Jordan 
Hill, and one of the authors of this work, when dredging in Lamlash 
Bay, in 1839.” “Two specimens, dredged alive off Ballantrae, Ayr- 
shire, in 1842, were sent me by Mr. Edward Getty. Dead shells are 
hot uncommon among comminuted nullipores dredged in Lamlash 
Bay, Arran, in 1846, by Major Martin and the Rev. David Lands- 
borough,” W. Thompson. Notwithstanding this assertion that it is 
“not uncommon” I have never had the good fortune to meet with the 
species, although I have examined bushels of “comminuted nulli- 
pores” from the little Bay, now. known to the boatmen as “ Lands- 
borough’s Bay,” on account of Dr. Landsborough having so frequently 
dredged there for this comminuted nullipore, which abounds in minute 
shells, many of them very rare species. Unfortunately the specimens 
are for the most part very much worn, and of little value for the 
cabinet. 


Fam. III. Dentaliade. 


Dentalium entalis. May be found in most suitable situations,— 
namely where the water is deep and the bottom mud, Abundant 
outside Kames Bay, Cumbrae. 


Fam. IV. Calyptreade. 


Pileopsis hungaricus (Capulus hungaricus). Not common, and 
always small. Its range is from low water to twenty fathoms. 


7206 Mollusks. 


Fam. V. Fissurellide. 


*Fissurella reticulata (Fissurella Greca). Bute, Smith. Between 
Holy Island and Clachland Point, Greville and Miles. 

Puncturella noachina (Cemorta Flemingii, Fissurella noachtna). 
Abundant in company with Pilidium fulvum, to the note on which 
species I beg to refer. It has likewise occurred to me off the west of 
Cumbrae. Bute, Smith. Mr. Smith was the first to record this 
species as living on our coasts. 

Emarginula reticulata (Emarginula fissura). Common on shells 
and stones in the coralline zone. 

K. crassa. Has been taken by Mr. Barlee in Loch Long, Forbes 
and Hanley. 


Fam. VI. Trochide. 


Trochus zizyphinus. Not very common. 

T. alabastrum. “ Lamlash Bay, dredged by Mr. Eyton,” Greville 
and Miles. Surely there must be some error? 

T. millegranus (Zrochus Martini). Frequent among nullipore in 
the Laminarian and Coralline zones. Specimens in good condition 
are comparatively scarce, as its sculptured surface renders it peculiarly 
liable to be incrusted with Balani, Serpule, &c. 

T. exiguus (Zrochus interruptus). Ayr, Smith. Perhaps from 
ballast, or T. Montagui may have been mistaken for it, as that species 
is not mentioned in Mr. Smith’s list. 

T. Montagui (Trochus Montacuti). One specimen taken off Cum- 
brae is all that has occurred to me. Dr. Landsborough records it as 
found at Lamlash. 

T. tumidus. Common. 

*T. cinerarius (Trochus perforatus). Abundant. 

T. umbilicatus. Common. 

T. magus. Not common. The Clyde specimens, though field 
very large, are always very dull in colouring, indeed generally destitute © 
of all painting. ) 

*T. crassus. Cumbrae, Smzth. There must surely have been some 
mistake in the admission of this species ; probably the specimen found — 
was from ballast. 

T. undulatus. Recorded as found at Lamlash by Dr. Lands-» 
borough. 

T. helicinus (Margarita communis, Mar garita vulgaris). Frequent 


waft it from the Atlantic to the Ayrshire coast. 


Mollusks. 7207 


at low water; the Allans, Cumbrae and Lamlash Bay; also taken 
with the dredge on fronds of Laminarie. 

T. pusillus. Common in Lamlash Bay, more particularly in that 
part known as “ Landsborough’s Bay.” 

Adeorbis subcarinatus (Trochus subcarinatus). Among shell-sand 
from Lamlash Bay. 


Fam. VII. Janthinide. 


Ianthina communis. Is mentioned by Mr. Smith as having been 
taken at Loch Ryan. Loch Ryan is a little to the south of 
the district which this paper includes, but as the Ianthina is an 
oceanic shell there is no reason why a “ west-sou’-wester” may not 


2 


Fam. VIII. ZLittorinide. 


*Littorina neritoides (Littorina petrea, Turbo neritoides). Local, 
but not uncommon, and may be met with in some abundance on the ~ 
rocks of the outer Allans, Cumbrae. 

*L. rudis (Littorina vulgaris, Turbo rudis and T. rugosus). 
Common. 

L. patula. Local. On the rocks at Callums Hole, Bute, and at 
the Corriegills, Arran. 

L. tenebrosa. In little pools in the salt marsh at Brodick. 

L. saxatilis (Littorina neglecta). Plentiful in company with L. 


=meritoides at Allans, Cumbrae; also in rock pools at Clachland 


Point, Arran. 


_ *¥L, littorea (Turbo littoreus). Common. 


*],, littoralis. Common. 

Lacuna pallidula (Natica pallidula). Rock pools, Cumbrae, not 
common; Lamlash, Ayr, Smith. 

_L. puteolus. Frequent in a large rock pool at the outer Allans, 
Cumbrae. The strata of the Allans dip towards the sea. The 
sea has worn away the softer material between two upturmed out- 


‘cropping layers that raise themselves out of the sea, presenting their 


smooth, sloping, and steep-inclined surfaces to the sea, and their 
broken and rugged summits to the land. The channel thus worn 
away between the two strata forms a large rock pool, the bottom of 


| which is never disturbed even in the heaviest seas. The water finds 
| its way in and out of this rock pool by narrow channels passing 
| between the loose piled-up stones which close the entrance at either 


7208 Mollusks. 


end. At the lowest spring-tides, perhaps two or three times a year, 
this rock pool is left entirely dry, but at ordinary spring-tides water 
remains in it to the depth of two or three feet. At such times the 
conchologist may reap a perfect harvest. He shonld go provided 
with a bucket and a man or boy; the boy should be sent into 
the water to gather the weeds, while the conchologist himself washes 
them in the bucket; the sediment should then be taken home, dried, 
sifted, and examined at leisure; the stones of the rock pool and the 
stones within it should aiso be carefully examined. Among the 
shells taken in this rock pool, I may mention the present species and 
the two other members of this genus, Cerethium reticulatum and 
C. adversum, Rissoa rufilabrum, R. punctura and R. inconspicua, 
Jeffreysia opalina and J. diaphana, Acmeza testudinalis and A. 
virginea, Eulenia distorta, Trochus helicinus, Odostomia eulimoides, | 
QO. turrita and O. spiralis, Chemnitzia indistincta, Amphisphyra 
hyalina, &c. 

*T,. vincta (Lacuna canalis and L. quadrifasciata, Turbo vinctus 
and T’. guadrifasciatus). In rock pools and on Laminarie, not 
uncommon, but generally small. 

Rissoa striatula (Rissoa decussata, Pyramis striatulus, Cingula 
striatula). Cumbrae, Smith. Rare among Lamlash Bay shell- 
sand. 

R. crenulata (Rissoa Cimex, Cingula Cimex). Ayr, Smith ; Lam- 
lash, Landsborough. I have never met with it in the Clyde, but have 
received it from the Turbot bank, off the Antrim coast, so that it may 
be expected in the Clyde. 

R. zetlandica. Lamlash, Landsborough. 

R. Calathus (Cingula calathisca). Cingula calathisca is included 
in Mr. Smith’s Catalogue as found at Cumbrae; Lamlash, Lands- 
borough. ; 

R. Beanii. Not uncommon among shell-sand from “ Lands- 
borough’s Bay,” but in a worn state. In a living state it is very rare. 

R. abyssicola? Dr. Landsborough mentions with doubt a speci- 
men of this beautiful. Rissoa as having been taken at Cumbrae 
(Lands. Excur. p. 443). It is met with in Loch Tyne. 

R. punctura (Cingula punctura, Rissoa reticulata). Abundant 
dead in Lamlash Bay, and_alive in the large rock pool at the Allans, 
Cumbrae; Ayr, Smith. : 

R. costata (Cingula costata). Not common. <A few dead: spe- 
cimens dredged at Lamlash; Ayr, Bute, Smzth. . 

R. striata (Rissoa minutissima, Turbo striatus). Abundant: 


Mollusks. 7209 


R. parva (Rissoa alba, Cingula parva). Abundant. Var. R. in- 
terrupta, abundant. Peculiarly characteristic specimens are to be 
found in rock pools at Farland Point, Cumbrae. 

R. costulata. Lamlash, Landsborough. 

R. rufilabrum. Abundant on Zostera marina growing in the large 
rock pool on the Allans, Cumbrae; and also found, though less com- 
monly, in similar situations at Lamlash, and probably throughout the 
district. 

R. labiosa (Turbo labiosus, Cingula labiata). A few examples 
dredged in Kames Bay, Cumbrae. A large fragile form, abundant on 
the large Zostera beds near the Pier at Lamlash; Bute, Ayr; 
Smith. 

R. inconspicua. Frequent dead and worn in Lamlash Bay. 
Occasionally found also alive on decaying Laminaria and in rock 
pools. ' 

R. tenuis (Alder). Mr. Alder is still firm in the conviction that 
the Rissoa inconspicua, var. c. of Forbes and Hanley, is a distinct 
species. The shell was first taken by him “at and a little below low 
water-mark at Rothesay,” and he has since received it from Shetland. 

R. Goodallii (Alder, MS.). I found a small Rissoa in company 
with R. rufilabrum at the outer Allans, which is referred by Messrs. 
Hanley and Jeffreys to R. inconspicua, of which species they 
consider it a dwarf form. Mr. Alder thinks it may be distinct, but 
adds “I should like to see the animal before making up my mind. 
_ The shell does not show any of the delicate markings usually found 
on R. inconspicua,. The manuscript name of Goodallii in my 
cabinet was attached to them because I got the first specimens from 
Bean, who had received them from Dr. Goodall under the name of 
Turbo yittatus (a synonym of T. cingellus), and knowing they did 
not belong to that species, I attached the Doctor’s name to them for 
distinction’s sake.”—Alder in litt. To this observation of Mr. Alder, 
I may add that I have myself seen this shell in cabinets erroneously 
labelled “ Rissoa vittata.” 

R. semistriata. Lamlash, Landsborough. 

R. cingellus (Rissoa vittata, Turbo cingellus). Not uncommon 
under stones near low water at many places in the district. 

R. vitrea (T'urbo vitreus). Lamlash, Landsborough ; Ayr, Smith. 

R. fulgida. I have procured a specimen or two in Kames Bay, 
-Cumbrae, and also found the species at Lamlash. 

R. rubra. Included in Dr. Landsborough’s latest revised Cata- 
logue of the Lamlash Bay Mollusca. 

XVIII. 3H 


7210 Mollusks. 


R. soluta. Mr. Webster has met with this species among some shell- 
sand I sent him from Lamlash Bay, and Dr. Landsborough and Mr. 
Bean had previously recorded it from the same locality. Bute, Bean. 

*R. Ulvee (Cingula subumbilicata). Common in the salt-water marsh 
at Brodick. Examples taken there are commonly of a very curious 
form. The whorls of the young shell are remarkably small; they then 
suddenly enlarge, and ultimately the small whorls of the upper portion 
of the spire drop off, leaving an obtusely truncated apex, as in the 
genus Truncatella. 

Jeffreysia opalina. Confined, as far as my observations go, to the 
Allans rock pool, where it is abundant, but always small. 

J. diaphana. In company with the last, and equally common in 
that locality, but has not been met with elsewhere in the district. 

Skenea Planorbis (Skenea depressa). Very abundant. 

S. nitidissima. Frequent. Alive in rock pools at Clachland Point, 
Arran ; and dead in dredged Lamlash Bay sand. 

S. Rota. Rare in sand from “ Landsborough’s Bay.” 

S. divisa. Frequent in the same locality as the last. 

S. costulata. There is a specimen of this shell, which I have seen, 
in the cabinet of Mr. Bean, who procured it from Lamlash Bay sand. 
The genus Skenea in the ‘ British Mollusca * contains a motley assem- 
blage of minute shells which had since proved to belong to widely 
different genera, and, which, indeed, were only provisionally placed 
by Forbes and Hanley together. Jeffreys and Messrs. Adams (in their 
“Genera of Recent Mollusca’) would retain Planorbis as the sole 
representative of the genus Skenea; Messrs. Adams deposit the 
remaining species in the genus Cyclostrema, MJarryatt, among the 
Trochide, while Jeffreys places Culteriana, costulata (?), levis {?) 
and divisa in Margarita, among the Trochide, and has constituted 
a genus Omalogyra for the reception of nitidissima and Rota: he 
leaves this genus among the Littorinide. Clark unites Planorbis 
to the genus Rissoa, places Culteriana, divisa, costulata and levis in 
Trochus, nitidissima in Truncatella, and “believes” that Rota is 
the young of Caecum Trachea. The utmost that can as yet be con- 
sidered satisfactorily determined is that Planorbis should remain in 
the family as it is, and that Culteriana and divisa must be removed to 
the Trochide ; all the rest is conjecture, or at least has no sufficient 
proof. 

Fam. IX. Turritellide. 


*Turritella communis (Turritella Terebra). Not common. 
Cecum glabrum (Brochus glaber, B. arcuatus). Alive in rock 


Mollusks. 7211 


pools, Allans, Cumbrae ; and Clachland Point, Arran. Common among 
the shell-sand of Lamlash Bay. Bute, Smith. 

C. Trachea (Brochus striatus, Dentalium Trachea, D. imperforatus). 
Frequent in dredged shell-sand. 


Fam. X. Cerethiade. 


Aporrhais Pes-Pelecani (Rostellaria Pes-Pelecani). Frequent. 
*Cerethium adversum (Terebra perversa, Murex adversus). Alive 
in rock pools, rare. Dead in Lamlash Bay shell-sand, frequent. 
*C. reticulatum (Buccinum reticulatum, Murex reticulatus). Ex- 
tremely common. The most abundant shell in the district. 


Fam. XI. Scalariade. 


Scalaria communis (Scalaria elathrus). I have procured through 
fishermen two or three specimens which were dredged in Lamlash Bay, 
where Dr. Landsborough has also taken it. Mr. Hennedy has met 
with the species at Gourock.—(‘ The Naturalist,’ 1852, vol. ii. p. 88). 

S. Turtonis. Once dredged alive between the Corriegills and 
Clachland Point, Arran. Ayr, Bute, Smith. 


Fam. XII. Pyramidellide. 


Adis nitidissima (Turritella nitidissima). One example dredged 
close to the Clerk Rock, Isle of Cumbrae. Lamlash, Landsborouyh. 

A. unica (Turritella unica). Lamlash, Landsborough. 

Eulima polita. Occasionally taken throughout the district, but 
rare. 

E. nitida, Phelippi. Lamlash Bay, rare. 

E. bilineata (Hulima subulata). Lamlash, Landsborough. 

E. distorta. Not uncommon in rock pools and by washing sea- 
weeds dredged in the Laminarian zone; also dead in Lamlash Bay 
shell-sand. A strongly marked, much elongated, straight and larger 
variety of this shell from the “Clyde district” is distinguished by 
Forbes and Hanley under the name of gracilis. JI have procured it 
abundantly from off Tarbert in Loch Fyne, but have not met with it in 
the Firth of Clyde. | 

Chemnitzia rufescens. This is probably specifically identical with 
C. scalaris, scalaris being the southern and rufescens the more usual 
northern form of the same shell. Chemnitzia rufescens “is a rare 
animal, occurring occasionally and sparingly in the Lochs of the Firth 
of Clyde.”—Forbes and Hanley. I have taken it in Lamlash Bay. 

. C, indistincta. Not uncommon alive in rock pools; also taken with 


7212 Mollusks. 


the dredge off Fintry Bay, Cumbrae ; and in shell-sand from “ Lands- 
borough’s Bay.” 

C. clathrata. The Parthenia clathrata of Jeffreys is included by 
Dr. Landsborough among the Lamlash shells. I do not know what 
shell Dr. Landsborough can refer to under that name. The specimen 
of C. clathrata in my friend Mr. Jeffreys’ cabinet still remains, I 
believe, unique as British. 

C. eximia. Mr. Bean discovered among Lamlash shell-sand a shell 
which he referred with doubt to Rissoa Balliz of Jeffreys, which is 
synonymous with Chemnitzia eximia (vide Lands. Excur. Arran. 
p- 363). Subsequent observation has not confirmed this surmise. 

Odostomia conoidea. Lamlash, Landsborough. ; 

O. unidentata. Common in Lamlash Bay shell-sand, and I have 
likewise taken it alive. 

O. plicata (T'urbo plicatus). Bute, Smith. 

O. turrita, Jeffreys. Alive in rock pools at the outer Allans, Cum- 
brae, and Clachland Point, Arran ; and dead in shell-sand in Lamlash 
Bay. Perhaps this is the shell which Mr. Smith took at Bute, and 
recorded as Turbo plicatus. I have not yet met with that species in 
the district. 

O. eulimoides. Frequent on the wings of Pecten opercularis, 
dredged on the bank near the Tan Buoy, Cumbrae. The Pectens are 
covered with an encrusting red sponge, which Dr. Bowerbank will 
describe in his Monograph about to be published by the Ray Society 
under the name of Halichondria favinaria. The Odostomiz appear to 
feed upon this sponge. 

O. eulimoides, var. b, Jeffreys (Turbo pallidus, Mont.). This well- 
marked form is frequently found among Lamlash sand. 

O. rissoides. Occasionally alive in rock pools, and dead in shell- 
sand, but generally small. 

O. albella (Lover). Alive among coralline in rock pools at Clach- 
land Point. This would certainly seem more distinct from O. rissoides 
than many other described species. 

O. cylindrica. Occasional. One large specimen from Lamlash 
shell-sand I was inclined to think might be distinct, but Mr. Jeffreys 
refers it here. . 4 

O. interstincta. Not uncommonly taken in rock pools, and with the 
dredge. ‘The Odostomia costata of Bean, which he took in Lamlash 
Bay, is merely an elongated form of this species. 

O. spiralis. Alive in rock pools at Cumbrae. Dredged off Fintry 
Bay, and near the Clerk Rock, Cumbrae. Dead in Lamlash shell- 


M alco) 7213 


sand. Odostomia ornata is a MS. name given by Mr. Bean to a variety 
of O. spiralis, in which the spiral line at the base is obsolete. It is 
taken among Lamlash Bay shell-sand. 

O. decussata. Frequent among the comminuted nullipore of “ Lands- 
borough’s Bay,” which I have so frequently spoken of in this paper as 
“shell-sand.” A very large portion of the “sand” consists of minute 
shells and the broken fragments of their larger brethren. Odostomia 
decussata is now and then found alive, but is far more frequent in a 
dead and worn state. 

O. excavata (Rissoa Harveyi, Thompson, Parthenia turrita). Dead 
specimens rare among Lamlash Bay shell-sand. I have never met 
with it alive. 

Kulimella Scilla. Said by Forbes and Hanley to occur “ through- 
out the Clyde district.” I have procured it from off Tarbert on Loch 
Fyne, but have not met with it in the Firth of Clyde. 

Truncatella Montagui (Turbo subtruncatus). Turbo subtruncatus 
is reported by Mr. Smith to have occurred at Ayr. It is hardly likely 
to be met with alive so far north. The specimens were probably from 
ballast. 

Otina Otis. I found a specimen of this shell among washed weed 
from Clachland Point, Arran. This is, I believe, the most northern 
locality in which this species has been found. Professor Forbes met 
with it in the Isle of Man. Dr. Gray has removed the genus Otina, 
apparently on good grounds, from its position here, and has associated 
it with the Auriculade. 

ALFRED MERLE NoRMAN. 

Sedgefield, Ferry Hill, 


September 4, 186. 
(To be continued). 


On the Habits of the Argonaut.—Any original observations on the habits of so 
interesting a mollusk as the argonaut should be welcome to the zoologist. Such I 
consider are those made by my friend, Mr. Thomas Kerr, of New Zealand. On the 
occasion of his making a voyage across the North Pacific, one hundred and fifty miles 
north of the great bay on the north side of New Guinea, he took a living argonaut in 
the towing-net. The rest he shall tell himself: “I put it,” says he, ‘ into.a tumbler 
of water to observe its motions at leisure, but, to my surprise, it was instantly out of 
the shell and darting with great rapidity round and round the glass in the usual cuttle- 
like manner—stern first ; it finally rested on the side of the tumbler, emitting a current 
of water from its swimming tube, and sinking to the bottom was soon dead. I several 
times placed it in the shell, but it never remained. While swimming it assumed a | 


7214 Crustacea. 


rich deep brown colour, which, while at rest, only remained as eye-like spots all over 
the body. Sepia was expelled from an interior tube protruded between the mantle 
and the base of the swimming-tube. The shell, containing ova, appeared of the same 
specific gravity as water, for it rested wherever it was placed. The ‘ Zoe’ I presume 
is the male organ; it moved about with a writhing motion, the luwer disk being appa- 
rently surrounded by suckers; both it and the eggs possessed the eye-like spots and 
the power of changing them.” My friend forwarded me the specimens in a bottle of 
alcohol, but unfortunately they never reached me. We were very far apart, and the 
“Ocean Parcels Delivery Company ” I believe is not yet in existence. The account, 
however, confirms some observations I made during a former voyage concerning the 
facility with which the argonaut quits her shell, and the presence of the parasitic male 
is highly important as proving the sex of the shell-constructing individuals. My 
friend, Mr. Kerr, was, I believe, unacquainted with my observations.—Arthur Adams ; 
Olga Bay, Manchuria, August 3, 1859. 


On the Capture of Telmessus serratus in Manchuria.—I land as usual with the 
“ seining party,” for, besides the exciting pleasure of catching good fish, there is a 
chance of securing something interesting to the naturalist, but not fit for the “ pot.” 
We choose a shallow sandy bay full of “ tangle,” and where a little rivulet runs into 
the sea, for in such localities do the salmon love to congregate. It is evening, and the 
poor Chinese fishermen have hauled their canoes high up upon the beach. They have 
lighted their wood fires, and are peacefully employed, some smoking, and others pre- 
paring the supper of fish. Huge rocks crowned with trees, dark and solemn in the 
twilight, form the back ground, and already the fireflies have commenced their inter- 
mittent illumination. The seine is takeu out in the “jolly boat,” and forms a vast 
semicircle in the water, and the sailors are scattered through the bush cutting down 
trees and making huge fires to attract the fish. Soon parties in long boots and in bare 
legs assemble at either end of the seine, and singing songs, if not select, yet cheery, 
commence hauling in the net. | Glittering scales and silvery bellies soon show them- 
selves above the water, and as the seine is landed, amid great excitement, a tumbling, 
leaping mass of fish is thrown upon the sand. ‘“ Here’s a kinger” cry the sailors as 
they “ fist” a noble salmon. “ Only a toader” cries another, casting high up among 
the bushes an ugly brown Tetraodon. “ Here’s an adjective big turbot ” says a short 
man with a rubicund proboscis; and “ Here’s shrimp sauce for the turbot” says a long 
pale boy, with a squint in his eye, picking up prawns three inches long ; and “ Here,” 
sings out another of the jovial crew, “is a curio for the Doctor.” With that a hairy 
man of the sea brings me a large yellow somewhat apathetic crab with “ Please, sir, is 
this any good ; I never seen another like im,” and I thank him courteously, and take 
possession of a splendid, perfect, living specimen of my friend Adam White’s Tel- 
messus serratus.—Arthur Adams ; Olga Bay, Manchuria, August 3, 1859. 


Capture of Gonepieryx Rhamni, var. Cleopatra.—I have to announce the capture 
of that remarkable variety of Gonepteryx Rhamni called Cleopatra: it was taken by 
my uncle, Mr. John Fullerton, in his grounds at Thrybergh Park, near Rotherham, 


Insects. 7215 


on the 27th of June, in this year. The fore wings are much more suffused with 
orange than those of the specimen which Mr. Curtis figured, and the specimen 
resembles exactly the Italian specimen of Cleopatra in Mr. Hope’s collection.— 
Hi, Adair Pickard; Christ Church, Oxford, August 27, 1860.—From the ‘ Intelli- 
gencer. 

Description of the Larva of Acidalia inornata.—F ull-fed larva rigid, ragose ; body 
rich dark chocolate-brown, intersectional bands grayish, with a light spot in the 
centre; head slightly bifid, with two raised white spots at the back; dorsal and sub- 
dorsal lines light and distinct on the first four segments, interrupted to the ninth ; 
dorsal lozenges on the middle segments indicated by a dark outline, half of the last 
lozenge and hinder segments light brown, with a broad dark line running down the 
centre; belly gray. This larva hybernates, and will feed on Polygonum aviculare, 
P. Hydropiper, a species of Galium, Cerastium arvense, &c.— James Batty; 
133, South Street, Park, Sheffield, August 20, 1860.—Id. * 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia satyrata.— 

Var. 1. Ground-colour pale yellowish green, segmental divisions yellow. Central 
dorsal line dusky green. Down the centre of the back a series of Y-shaped dusky 
green blotches, edged with purplish brown, and becoming confluent or merged in the 
central line on the anterior and posterior segments. Subdorsal lines very slender and 
indistinct, dusky green. Spiracular line yellow. Between the subdorsal and spira- 
cular lines a row of small slanting purplish blotches. Back studded with very 
minute yellowish tubercles. 

Var. 2. Back greenish white. Central dorsal line pinkish or rose-colour. Sub- 
dorsal lines ditto. Down the centre of the back a series of large rose-coloured and 
trusty red goblet-shaped blotches, becoming faint or merged in the central line on the 
anterior and posterior segments. Spiracular line waved, rose-colour. Subdorsal and 
spiracular lines connected by a number of slanting rose-coloured streaks. Belly pale 
sea-green or greenish white, with a central white line. Back studded with numerous 
small white tubercles. 

Var. 3. Whole of the back suffused with rose-colour. Subdorsal lines yellowish. 
Dorsal blotches edged with yellow. Spiracular line interrupted with yellow patches. 
Belly greenish white. Ventral segmental divisions white. 

This larva tapers considerably towards the head; it is very local, but occurs in 
some plenty.in some parts of Buckinghamshire, where, however, it is confined to the 
open spaces between and near the beech woods. It feeds upon the petals of almost 
any flower which happens to grow in the locality, e.g., Centaurea nigra, Knautia 
arvensis, Gentiana Amarella and G. campestris, Apargia hispida, Origanum vulgare, 
Prunella vulgaris, Galium Mollugo, &c., preferring the two first-named. It is full- 
fed in September. The pupa, which is enclosed in an earthen cocoon, has the thorax 
and wing-cases golden yellow suffused with red. Abdominal divisions and tip red. 
The perfect insect appears in June.— H. Harpur Crewe ; Drayton-Beauchamp, Sep- 
tember 22, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia helveticata. — Short and stumpy, the same 
thickness from tip to tail. Back and belly bright green. Central dorsal line dark 
green. Subdorsal lines pale yellow. Spiracular line yellow, waved. Anal tip of cen- 
tral dorsal line purplish. Head slightly bifid, dusky, curved inwards. Central ven- 
tral line pale yellow. Spaces between the subdorsal and spiracular lines darker green 
than back and belly. Feeds on the common juniper (Juniperus communis). Full- 


7216 : | Insects. 


fed throughout September. Resembles in many respects the larva of E. sobrinata. 
For the larve from which the foregoing description is taken I am indebted to the 
kindness of Mr. Andrew Wilson, of Edinburgh. The pupa, which is enclosed in an 
earthen cocoon, has the thorax and abdomen bright green, the latter sometimes yel- 
lowish. Wing-cases much darker, very transpareut. Central dorsal line dark green. 
Abdominal divisions and frequently the border of wing-cases reddish. Tip of abdo- 
men blood-red. Under side of ditto yellowish.—Id. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecta subumbrata.— 

Var. 1. Very long and slender, tapering very much towards the head. Ground- 
colour dull yellowish green. Central dorsal line broad, dark green, narrower at the 
segmental divisions. Subdorsal lines dusky, very narrow and indistinct. Dorsal seg- 
mental divisions orange. Ventral ditto yellow. Spiracular line dusky green. On 
each side of the head and anal segment a yellowish line. 

Var. 2. Ground-colour dirty greenish brown. Central dorsal line dusky olive. 
Subdorsal lines ditto, narrow. Posterior segments reddish. In other respects re- 
sembles var. 1. 

This singular long thin larva I have been in the habit of taking at intervals for 
some years past in Buckinghamshire. It feeds upon the same plants and in the same 
localities as Eupithecia satyrata, preferring perhaps Apargia hispida and Crepis 
-taraxifolia. It is full-fed at the end of August and throughout September. The pupa, 
enclosed in an earthen cocoon, has the thorax and wing-cases dark green. Abdomen 
ochreous, tip dusky red. The perfect insect appears in June.—Id. 

Reappearance of Leucania putrescens at Torquay.—Last night I was fortunate 
enough to take a fine specimen of this insect, about a quarter of a mile from the place 
where I took them before. It is more than a month later than I took the species last 
year, in consequence, I suppose, of the bad weather. I found it on the flowers of 
Teucrium Scorodonia, which plant is very attractive to moths in general.—R. M. 
Stewart; 3, Park Place, Torquay, Devon, August 28, 1860. Since my last com- 
munication I have taken two more specimens of L. putrescens ; they are both apparently 
fresh from the pupa.—R. M. Stewart ; September 3, 1860.—From the ‘ Intelligencer, 

Discovery of the Food-plant of Nemotois scabiosellus.—The larva of Nemotois 
scabiosellus is found; we have bred it from the egg; its fuod-plant is Scabiosa 
arvensis. We repeated an attempt which we made three years ago, and which then 
failed; we collected the specimens we found zn copuld and some scabious heads, on 
some of which both males and females were sitting. We observed the females, both 
out of doors and in our breeding-cage, at work laying their eggs. The flowers and 
seeds are the first abodes of the larve; the eggs are laid in the fructification of the 
scabious flowers, each enclosed in a seed-capsule. When the interior of the seed- 
has been eaten out by the larva it immediately uses the husk as a case, having gnawed 
a hole at the lower truncate end of the husk; at this age the larva seems to attack 
other seeds, boring into them and eating out the contents. ‘Two of the larger larve 
have already made their large cases out of pieces of dried leaves, but how this process 
was performed has not yet been sufficiently observed. Probably the more advanced 
larve feed on the leaves of the scabious and other low plants. Some were observed 
in the act of gnawing a dry leaf of the upright fly-honeysuckle (Lonicera Xylostewm). 
The credit of these observations, and of the successful treatment of the insects, is 
due to my son Dr. Ottmar Hofmann.—Communicated by Herr Hofmann, of Ratis- 
bon, to Mr. Stainton, and inserted in the ‘ Intelligencer’ of September 8, 1860. 


Insects. 7217 


Capture of Hallomenus fuscus near Lee.—Accident the other evening led my 
friend Douglas to lay his finger on an example of Hallomenus fuscus, and for a few 
more nights (wet or dry) we visited the locality, on the outlook for more. Fortune did 
not condescend to reward me until two nights ago, when spying one sitting in a new 
place I examined it thoroughly, shouted for Douglas to come, and I think we took 
about one hundred between us, and nearly as many last night.—John Scott; 13, Tor- 
vington Villas, Lee, S.E.; August 31, 1860.—From the ‘ Intelligencer.’ 

Capture of Mycetophagus multipunctatus near Lee.—Whilst in search of a little 
Ceutorhynchus the other evening I happened to lay hold of a boletus containing a 
number of Mycetophagus multipunctatus, as well as a lot of the larve,—active little 
fellows who, every one, chose a different path across the paper on which the boletus 
was laid during examination, so that their capture again was rendered somewhat 
difficult —Id. 

Habits of Bledius tricornis.—The oozes here now, after the tide has gone down, 
and particularly if it should be a warm day (a thing which, I am sorry to say, is of 
rare occurrence this season), are literally swarming with Coleopterous insects, among 
which the showy Bledius tricornis is the most abundant: one can easily see where 
there is a colony of this insect, as each of them throw up little mounds of wet sand 
about half an inch high, before the mouths of their burrows; directly the sun appears 
they come out in thousands, and run from burrow to burrow. They look very con- 
Spicuous, owing to the bright colour of their elytra: as soon as the sun becomes 
obscured or the ground disturbed they run off as fast as they can to their habitations ; 
on the re-appearance of the sun they emerge very slowly and cautiously, and if 
frightened then, or, when but a short distance from their burrows, they invariably run 
backwards into them. Some of them are brown, with pale straw-coloured elytra; 
these are, in all probability, individuals just arrived at maturity. If I had felt 
inclined to T am quite certain I might have filled several bottles with them. How 
they contrive to live I cannot imagine, as they must, during the high tides we have 
had for the last few days, have been covered with the tide for at least six hours each day; 
they appear, however, to thrive rather than otherwise, as directly the tide goes out they 
may be seen busily engaged reconstructing their burrows, which they do with marvel- 
lous rapidity and neatness. They first of all make, with their anterior legs and 
mandibles, a small hole sufficiently deep to contain their abdomen; after that is 
accomplished they work backwards in some extraordinary manner, shovelling out the 
wet sand with their posterior legs to the mouth of the hole; this they continue to do 
till they get down to a considerable distance: the sand which they throw up forms a 
barrier in front of their burrows, and is, I suspect, a short time prior to the rise of the 
tide, made use of to cover their holes, and so prevent the water from reaching them; 
this, however, I have never yet seen them do, so I cannot write positively. The insect 
which ranks next in abundance is Bembidium laterale, which, when the sun shines, 
runs in thousands over all parts of the sands far below high-water mark. Under sea- 
weed B. pallidipenne hides, but is far from common; also in the same locality Aleo- 
chara obsenrella, Phytosus nigriventris and Cercyon litorale; the latter insect has 
some remarkable varieties.—Gervase F. Mathew; Raleigh House, near Barnstaple, 
September 20, 1860. 

On the Musical Powers of the British Species of the Genus Acalles.—In the July 
number of the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History’ appeared a most delightful 
paper “ On Certain Musical Curculionidae,” by T. V. Wollaston, Esq. The musical insect 


XVIII. a1 


7218 Insects. 


there treated upon is a Teneriffe species of Acalles, and most accomplished artistes they 
appear to be. We are informed that “it was a constant source of amusement to 
make these creatures stridulate, or ‘ sing’ as it was usually called, which they would 
invariably do for almost any length of time when alarmed.” The “ song” is produced, 
it appears, by “(a minute and rapid vibration of the apical segment of the abdomen,” 
the friction of which against the inner surface of the elytra is the means whereby the 
little curculionidous musician produces its melodies. Mr. Wollaston conjectures 
whether all the Acalles have this remarkable power, but, he adds, as far as regards the 
species found in the Atlantic Islands, he has little hesitation in believing that they 
have. On reading this very amusing and instructive paper I felt a strong desire to 
ascertain, if possible, whether our British species possessed any amount of musical 
talent, not that I for a moment expected them to bear a comparison with foreign pro- 
fessors, for I believe we must be content at once to yield the palm of musieal proficiency 
to the foreign artiste; still I am so easily charmed with the simple melodies of my 
native land that I determined, if possible, to ascertain what degree of musical ability 
our own minute Acalles could lay claim to. During a few week’s residence at Deal 
I had the good fortune to capture considerable numbers of two species of Acalles, 
A. Roboris and A. misellus. In the first instance I tried the powers of single speci- 
mens by placing them in pill-boxes, which I shook to alarm the insects, and then 
applied them to my ear, for some time without success; at length I distinctly heard 
the notes of A. Roboris, they were “‘ soft, gentle and low,” in fact, simple melodies. I 
next placed a dozen in a single box, which I shook and applied to my ear, when I was 
delighted by a complete curculionidous chorus, the effect I must confess being some- 
what monotonous, in consequence of the performers all playing in the same key. The 
fact was however established of A. Roboris being musical, and certainly a much more 
accomplished musician than A. misellus, which requires much coaxing and pressing in 
order to obtain the slightest proof of its capabilities. On closely observing the Acalles 
when turned on their backs and teased into harmony I could, with the aid of a good 
pocket lens, distinctly observe the rapid vibrations of the apical segment of the abdo- 
men. Mr. Wollaston refers to other Coleoptera, which possess in a greater or less 
degree the power of stridulation, particularizing some species of Longicorns. Of the 
British species of that family the Aromia moschata is certainly no despicable per- 
former, but as far as my experience enables me to judge I consider the Cychrus ros- 
tratus to be the most accomplished English musician, although the various species of 
the genus Necrophorus must be allowed to be highly accomplished performers. I have 
not had an opportunity of testing the musical capabilities of the third British Acalles, 
the A. ptinoides.— Frederick Smith, British Museum. 

Capture of Tropideres sepicola—I have great pleasure in recording the capture of 
another specimen of this rare Curculio, by stripping off the bark of a semi-decayed oak 
in Buddon Wood ; this being the third British specimen discovered.—F’. Plant ; Lei- 
eester, September 10, 1860. 

Capture of Trichodes hispidus in Leicestershire. —Late in July last, accompanied 
by Mr. F. Plant, of Leicester, I visited Buddon Wood, near Quorndon, Leicestershire, 
in search of Coleoptera, and on removing some semi-decayed bark from a young oak 
tree observed specimens of Trichodes hispidus underneath.; We each succeeded in 
capturing several. We again visited the spot a month later, and then captured more spe- 
cimens under similar circumstances on the same tree, and also underneath the decaying 
bark of several others near.—John S. Harris ; Burton-on-Trent, September 11, 1860. 


Insects. 7219 


Sisyphus in Manchuria.—There is a nice little bay on the Manchurian coast 
Which rejoices in the name of “ Sio-wu-hu.” You land on the sandy beach, to the 
left of a clear running stream, and you see before you a green level plain, bounded by 
distant hills. Cattle and horses graze here, for although the soil is sandy, yet the 
pasturage is good: the bird’s-foot trefoil grows on it, in company with many grasses 
not to be distinguished from those of England,—the very dandelion seems the same; 
but on the outlying precincts, and among the young oaks which skirt the plain, that 
glorious wide-mouthed blue-bell (Platycodon grandiflora) blooms in all its pride, and 
Trollius asiaticus is as common as buttercups in a Hampshire meadow. Now the 
Manchurian bulls have stamped bare patches in this small savannah, and have also 
left other traces of their presence: in these deposits, associated with Aphodius, 
Geotrupes and Outhophagus, we discover our Sisyphus. You suppose we easily win 
this prize: on the contrary. What is that dark body moving steadily and slowly 
across the plain? It is a herd of cattle commanded by a patriarch bull, with a great 
black head, reddish eyes, short horns and a dewlap that nearly touches the ground. 
We are serenely engaged in disentombing Sisyphus, and we just look up and continue 
our occupation : the moving mass of cows and calves, led on by the patriarch, steadily 
advances; there are many stoppages and much pawing of the ground, and some low 
bellowings, but onward it comes. Prudence suggests a retreat ; courage and a desire 
for more specimens of Sisyphus, urge our remaining; so putting on an indifferent 
air, we go on turning over the sandy deposits: this seems to have some effect upon 
the bovine party,— patriarch bull, his admiring cows and their offspring, the playful 
calves, make a dead halt and stand staring. Thus we continue while a shard remains 
unexamined, when we rise and resume our stick, and stroll, with a would-be-careless 
air, towards the beach: the patriarch bull with the great curly head and dewlap 
and all‘his wives and concubines follow us down to the water, where, a boat being 
handy, we leave them. Whether our smaller stercoraceous ebon friend, with the 
gray curved hind legs, of these Tartarean regions, be the Sisyphus Schefferi of the 
illustrious Swede, or a new species not yet described, remains for the present a 
mystery.— Arthur Adams ; Sio-wu-hu, Manchuria, August 16, 1859. 

The “ Gold Bug,” a Reminiscence of Rio.—It is a cloudy day when we shoot 
across the glorious harbour of Rio, eager to explore the sides of the Sugar-loaf Moun- 
tain. We rejoice that the sun so beneficently veils his fierce rays in a misty 
atmosphere, for our toilsome climb will be more pleasant. We have not gone far 
before the enthusiasm of the party breaks out into exclamations of surprise and 
delight at the beauty of the scenery, and we pronounce both Fauna and Flora to be 
quite as attractive as Humboldt and Von Martius have painted them. How the 
great showy butterflies languidly flap their particoloured wings! The buff corolla of 
the Thunbergia rivals in its modest beauty the variegated gaudy passion-flowers that 
hang in rich clusters from the branches of the trees. In damp, sequestered shadowy 
nooks the ferns are splendid, and as for the wasps and ants I fear they would startle 
even Mr. Smith, of the British Museum, from his calm propriety, nor would his 
neighbour in the insect-room, friend Adam White, be less astonished at the beetles 
and the myriapods. Half afraid of snakes I penetrate a dense thicket, and crawl on 
hands and knees to the stems of some wild plantains, meeting on the road all sorts of 
“clammy, slabby, creeping and uncomfortable life.” Under the decaying leaves I 
find Juli of almost fabulous dimeusions; Polydesmi with sculptured segments, centi- 
pedes wriggling away with rapid moving legs and serpentine undulations, and that 


7220 Insects. 


strange connecting link between the spiders and scorpions, yclept Phrynum and very 
beautifully figured, if I rightly remember, by Mr. Curtis in Griffiths’ ‘ Cuvier’s Animal 
Kingdom ;’ it is a harmless arachnidan, inert and sluggish, and spins no web: it most 
resembles in its habits the “harvest-men” of English stubble-fields. Here, too, I 
come across some living specimens of that curious snail Streptaxis, crawling over the 
moist leaves, and am surprised to find it extrude a very respectable proboscis, which 
at once removes it from the herbivorous Helicide: it should form a family of itself, 
Streptaxide, to follow Oleacinide, and in turn be followed by Testacellide, in the 
Same manner as we have Bulimine, Helicineg and Limacine. But whither am I 
wandering, and what has become of the “gold bug”? Some of our party had been 
reading Edgar Poe’s mysterious and imaginative tale of the bug, and, what is more, 
actually believed in the existence of such an insect; and, as if to confirm them in this 
belief, and to prove the wondrous bug to be no myth or fabulous creature of the poet’s 
brain, I captured in my sweeping-net a splendid’ glittering Cassida, the elytra and 
thorax as of burnished gold. With laudable pride and exultation I display my prize; 
but, questionable mendacity, I also proclaim it to be the veritable gold bug of the 
American. One of my companions, now wandering in the wildest parts of Borneo,— 
a creature of as wild an imagination as the writer of the “ Tales,’— eagerly desires a 
closer inspection—nay, he would hold it in his hand. Excited, he no sooner deposits 
the envied object in his palm, and caught the glitter of its golden wings, than lo! 
away flies the “gold bug,” leaving dismay and amazement depicted in the faces of 
the surrounding group. Vain were the regrets at the loss of the “ bug of gold,”—not 
another specimen was seen that day.— Arthur Adams. 

A Question for Physiologists—Last June I picked up at Pitton, near Salisbury, a 
common cockchaffer (Melolontha vulgaris) alive, and crawling in the following con- 
dition. Right elytron removed, leaving abdomen uncovered, of which only the shell 
remained, the intestinal organs having been all scouped out, excepting a very small 
portion at the anal extremity. Thorax with two large cavities on the upper side. 
Head, legs and feet uninjured. The cause of the injuries inflicted on the luckless 
cockchaffer was probably a bird, but what struck me most was the apparent unconcern 
with which the insect was able to move about. I placed it in a pill-box, and at the 
end of twenty-four hours found it still alive, though in a torpid and dying state. 
Query.—In what part of the insect was its vitality inherent ?—A. R. Hogan; Ram- 
pisham Rectory, Dorchester, September 3, 1860. 


Proceedings of Societies. 


EntTomotocicat Society. 
September 3, 1860.—H. T. Stainton, Esq., V.P., in the chair. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 
the donors : —‘ Monographie des Elaterides, par M. E. Caudéze, Tome troisiéme ; 
presented by the Author. ‘ Verbandlungen der Kaiserlich-Koniglichen Zoologisch- 
Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien,’ Vol. ix.; by the Society. ‘The Proceedings of 
the Zoological Society of London,’ 1860, Parts I. and II.; by the Society. ‘ Stettiner 


Entomological Society. 7221 


Entomologische Zeitung, 1860, Nos. 4—9 ; by the Fntomological Society of Stettin. 
“Coléoptéres des Iles Agores, par Frederic Tarnier ; by the Author. ‘The Zoologist’ 
for September ; by the Editor. ‘ Proceedings of the Literary and Philosophical So- 
ciety of Liverpool during the Forty-ninth Session, 1859—60; by the Society. ‘The 
Journal of the Society of Arts’ for August; by the Society. ‘The Entomologist’s 
Weekly Intelligencer,’ Nos. 201—204 ; by H. T. Stainton, Esq. 


Election of a Subscriber, 


John Ellerton, Esq., of 9, Westmoreland Place, Westbourne Grove, was elected a 
Subscriber to the Society. 


Exhibitions, 


Mr. Stevens exhibited two examples of Diachromus germanus, recently captured 
in the town of Deal; one having been found by Mr. Smith, jun., crawling on the 
pavement; the other by himself, on the wall of a house. 

Mr. Waterhouse exhibited examples of the larva, pupa and imago of Trichodes 
hispidus, forwarded to him by Mr. Plant, of Leicester. 

Mr. Waterhouse also exhibited two species of Dorcatoma, both bred from rotten 
wood brought from Richmond Park. The first was D. flavicornis, and was merely 
exhibited for comparison with the second, which Mr. W. believed to be the D. chryso- 
melina of Sturm. It differs in being more oblung than D. flavicornis. The three 
terminal joints of the antenne are much more dilated in the male, and the penulti- 
mate and antepenultimate joints have the upper edge emarginate. In specimens 
which appear to be females the corresponding joints differ much less from those of 
D. tlavicornis ; still the upper edge is slightly emarginate, and the three club joints 
are more unequal in size, the first being relatively larger. 

Mr. Janson remarked that Mr. Frederick Smith had captured, some twelve years 
back, on old oaks near Peckham, a species of Dorcatoma which agreed well with 
Sturm’s figure and description of D. chrysomelina; he had himself likewise taken the 
insect in the same locality, and had labelled it in his collection without doubt as 
D. chrysomelina, Sturm. 

Mr. Pelerin exhibited a beautiful variety of Staphylinus cesareus, having the 
pubescence entirely fulvous. Also, Platystethus nitens and Mycetophagus 4-guttatus, 
taken at Hornsey, both these species being of very rare occurrence in Britain. 

Mr, G. King exhibited some fine varieties of Crambus paludellus, Argynnis Eu- 
phrosyne, Arctia villica and Calligenia miniata. Also, a series of Acentropus niveus, 
from Horning Fen, Norfolk. 

Mr. Lewis exhibited specimens of Hallomenus humeralis, which he had lately 
found in abundance on a fence at Charlton. This species was first recorded as British 
in the ‘ Entomologist’s Annual’ for 1859. 

Mr. Stainton exhibited some larve of Nemotois scabiosellus which he had received 
from Herr Hofmann, of Ratisbon. They had been obtained by collecting the scabious- 
heads in which females had been observed ovipositing. The difficulty attendant on the 
finding of these larvee was now apparent, as the young larva fed in the seeds, and then 
made use of the seed-husk asa case, till it had attained a sufficient size to require a flat 
leaf-made case. Whilst ensconced in the seed-husk the larva could scarcely be 
detected, the inhabited seed-husk resembling so precisely the other seeds of the plant. 

Mr. Janson exhibited specimens of a new British Donacia, D. Comari (AAr.), 


7222 Entomological Society. 


Suffrian, taken by the late James Foxcroft in Perthshire, in May, 1854. He re- 
marked that this species so nearly resembled the common D. sericea, Z. (D. Proteus, | 
Steph.), that it has probably been confounded with it in some of our collections; it 
may, however, be readily distinguished by its parallel elytra, and the totally different 
structure of its antenne, which are much shorter and stouter, with the third joint only 
just perceptibly longer than the second, and but very little shorter than the fourth ; 
whereas in D. sericea the antenne have the third joint fully half as long again as the 
second, and nearly as much shorter than the fourth. He observed that the occurrence 
of this species in Britain was particularly interesting, as it had hitherto been found 
only in the Hartz mountains, where it was discovered about the year 1806, by Dahl, 
who, from mercenary motives, not only kept its true locality a secret, but circulated 
various absurd and false statements respecting it; thus, Ahrens, in his ‘ Monograph of 
Donacia’ (Neue Schriften der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft zu Halle, 29, 1810), 
relates that Dahl had beaten it in some numbers from pine trees. Twenty years sub- 
sequently, however (in the summer of 1830), Ahrens found the beetle in considerable 
plenty in the Hartz, on the leaves of Comarum palustre; and at the end of July in 
the following year Dr. Suffrian met with it under similar circumstances in the same 
locality (vide Ent. Zeit. Stett. vii. 85, 1846). Mr. Janson further remarked, that 
although our British species of Donacia are readily separable by external characters, 
several North-American species are not only so closely allied inéer se, but, moreover, 
bear so strong a resemblance to certain European species, that while, on the one hand, 
certain slight yet apparently constant peculiarities in habit induce the conviction that 
they are really specifically distinct, it is, on the other hand, utterly impossible to find 
good diagnostics whereby to characterise them. A few evenings since, being engaged 
with Mr. Baly in endeavouring to throw the North-American Donaciz of that gen- 
tleman’s extensive collection into species, we remarked that many of the specimens 
presented an exserted organ at the apex of the abdomen ; these we at first supposed 
to be males, but the microscope soon convinced us that they were females, and that 
the organ thus protruded was the ovipositor within its sheaths. To clear up the 
doubts we at first had on this point we examined many specimens, and the result not 
only satisfied us that this organ is the ovipositor, but that the structure both of the 
superior and inferior valves, especially the first, varies so much in apparently closely- 
allied species as to afford reliable characters for their discrimination. 

Mr. Rye exhibited a Bagous, apparently distinct from the recorded British spe- 
cies, taken at Hammersmith. Also, on behalf of Mr. Solomon, the following rare 
Coleoptera : — Aleochara ruficornis, from Campsie Glen, Glasgow ; Philonthus lepi- 
dus, from Southport ; Omias sulcifrons, from York; and Phléophagus Spadix, from 
Purfleet. 

Mr. McLachlan exhibited some Lepidoptera recently captured in the Isle of 
Wight, including fine specimens of Triphena subsequa and Depressaria bipunctosa, 
and a long series of a Gelechia allied to G. instabilella and G. ocellatella, but con- 
sidered by him perfectly distinct from either. , 

Mr. McLachlan also brought for distribution among the members a series of bred 
specimens of Coleophora saturatella. 

Mr, Janson read the following letter, lately received by him from Walter Elliot, 
Esq., of Hawick, N.B., dated August 30, 1860 :— 

« Dear Sir,—I have not been unmindful of the interesting conversation I had with 
you in the month of June last, on the subject of the Hylobius Abietis, but several 


. 


Entomological Society. 7223 


things have occurred to call me away from home, and I have not been able to make 
much investigation, until within the last few days, into the ravages of the insect. 

“I find that although well known to the working foresters with whom I have con- 
versed, the insect has attracted little attention from proprietors of woodlands and 
country gentlemen. 

“ The larch is known to be failing throughout Scotland, and I believe throughout 
Britain; and much speculation exists as to the cause or causes. The Scottish Arbo- 
ricultural Society, instituted in 1854, offered a prize in 1857 for the best essay on the 
causes of decay in the larch (‘On the Dry Rot and other diseases in Larch and 
Spruce’), and in the volume of their ‘ Transactions’ for the current year I find a short 
paper by James McNeoll, forester, of Abercairney, Crieff, which makes no mention of 
the Hylobins as a primary agent of destruction, but dwells largely on the physiological 
conditions required for a healthy plantation, and observes, incidentally, that the plants 
in crowded plantations become sickly and etiolated, and thus ‘ the languid circulation 
of the tree in summer invites the attacks of a species of beetle, whose ravages destroy 
the foliage, thus impairing the wood-producing foliage or power of assimilation. —P. 8. 

“ Brown, in the ‘ Forester, second edition, 1849, does not notice the beetle at all, 
but in the most recent work I can find on the subject, intituled ‘The Larch Disease,’ by 
Charles McIntosh, Blackwood, 1860, it is mentioned, among‘ the accidental misfortunes 
the larch is liable to,’ as evidently a very minor cause of the mischief so extensively pre- 
vailing in larch plantations, but its operations are limited ‘to attacks on newly- 
planted larch, or such as are sickly.,—P. 113. 

“The main causes of decay, according to these authorities, are :— 

“1. The employment of bad seed, the produce of sickly or unhealthy trees. The 
larch appears to have been indiscriminately and very extensively planted on all kinds 
of soil. Many of these, particularly rich low-lying soils and undrained wet lands, are 
uncongenial to the nature of the tree, and the plantations have failed more or less ac- 
cordingly, exhibiting what is called ‘dry rot or decay at the heart.’ It seems to be a 
fact that unhealthy trees produce a larger crop of cones than sound ones, and hence 
much bad seed has been gathered and distributed. 

“2. Plantations on the old redsand-stone formation invariably fail; and this rock is 
very prevalent in Scotland. 

“3. Plantations of larch on ground previously occupied by other coniferous trees, 
or indeed any trees, also fail. 

“There is no doubt that larch timber has been much infected by what the foresters 
call ‘ dry rot.’ or decay at the heart, and probably the use of low, or rich, or wet soils 
may have been the occasion of this. I am also prepared to admit that mischief may 
have resulted from the employment of morbid seed. But I believe the attacks of this 
beetle have had far more to do with the destruction of trees than has hitherto been sus- 
pected. My present forester, a native of Sutherlandshire, says he has been familiar 
with the attacks of the beetle in the north for the last ten years. It has certainly been 
unknown in the south, where I now am, until within two or three years, and now it is 
Swarming in every wood. Six years ago, when on a visit from India to my father-in-law 
in Ayrshire, the Hylobius was pointed out to me by the old forester at Blairquhan as 
a recent scourge which had just made its appearance. It appears, therefore, to have 
travelled from the north gradually towards the south. Several persons here whose 
attention I have drawn to the subject, and who have consequently directed observation 
more carefully to the matter, have been struck with the extent of the damage inflicted 


7224 Notices of New Books. 


by the beetle on the woods around, which they had previously attributed to such-like 
vague causes as dry rot, fungus, ulcers, &c., and I am persuaded that more careful 
investigation will invest the ravages of the Hylobius with a degree of importance they 
have not hitherto received. 

“ By this post I send you a small box containing specimens of the beetle of both 
sexes. One pair at least were captured in conjunction. I also send pieces of a stem 
of a young larch, showing how completely they have gnawn the bark. I find trees of 
all ages are attacked by them. On large trees the twigs that have been gnawn wither, 
but the rest of the tree looks healthy. Branch after branch, however, is destroyed, 
and then the top withers and the trunk dies. The numbers of the beetles are so great 
that I can suggest no means for destroying them. They are evidently on the increase, 
and will soon leave not a larch alive. I have also found them attacking the spruce 
occasionally. 

“* Have you been able to make any more discoveries of the habits of the Hylobius 
from the German work you showed me? I should be glad of any hints you can give 
me to direct further examination of the subject. As far as I can observe, the breeding 
season is now begun, but I have failed to discover any eggs or larve’”—E. S. 


Notices or New Books. 


‘Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society. Supplemental 
tovol.iv. Zoology. July 18,1860. 8vo; 112 pp. letterpress.; 
1 outline Plate. Price 2s. 


Tuis part of the ‘ Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society ’ 
contains three papers :—1. “ Descriptions of New Species of Hymen- 
opterous Insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace at Celebes;” 
2. “ Descriptions of Hymenopterous Insects collected by Mr. A. R. 
Wallace in the Islands of Batchian, Kaisaa, Amboyna and Gilolo, and 
at Dory in New Guinea.” Both these papers are by Mr. F. Smith of 
the British Museum. 3. “Catalogue of the Dipterous Insects col- 
lected in Amboyna by Mr. A. R. Wallace, with Descriptions of New 
Species;” by Mr. F. Walker, F.L.S. 

I am extremely pleased to see the Linnean Society adopting plain 
Roman type almost exclusively in the ‘Proceedings’ before me. There 
is something extremely confusing and therefore objectionable to my 
mind in the alternation of Roman and Italic sentences and words, as 
in the ‘ Insecta Britannica’ and other modern works on Entomology. 


Notices of New Books. 7225 


*A Catalogue of the Lepidopterous Insects in the Museum of Natural 
History at the East India House” By Tuomas HorsFiExp, 
M. & Ph. D., F.R.S., Keeper of the Museum; and FRrepERICc 
Moors, Assistant. Vol. II. JTondon: Allen & Co., Leaden- 
hall Street. 1859. 8vo; 160 pp. letter-press; 15 plates. 
Price 10s. plain, 20s. coloured. 


It is impossible for any one who has taken the interest I have 
always done in the arrangement of Lepidoptera not to hail with grati- 
tude the appearance of a work which professes to reflect the opinion of 
one who possessed almost unbounded materials, and who, for many 
years, made this subject his especial study. The late lamented Dr. 
Horsfield’s account of the advantages he possessed is given in the 
following words :— 

“TI lived at this time at Surakarta, a province in the interior [of 
Java] belonging to the native princes. I was amply provided with 
every convenience and facility for preserving what I had collected. 
Several draughtsmen had likewise been trained under my superin- 
tendance, for botanical delineations ; and the skill they acquired in 
those soon fitted them for the annulose department. I was therefore 
enabled to enter upon a history of the metamorphoses of Javanese 
Lepidoptera, a design which has long engaged my anxious solicitude. 
Although I did not at this period so fully conceive the paramount 
necessity of an acquaintance with the metamorphoses of Lepidoptera, 
towards the establishment of a natural arrangement, as I have been 
led to do in later periods, yet I was so strongly impressed with its 
essential importance in attempting a complete history of insects, that 
I commenced with a fixed determination to prosecute the inquiry 
with unremitted industry and zeal, to collect all the larve of Lepi- 
dopterous insects which I might possibly obtain, and to trace them 
through the various periods of their existence. With this view I 
fitted up a large apartment adjoining my residence with breeding- 
cages and receptacles for chrysalides. At the commencement of the 
Yainy season, the period when, in tropical climates, the foliage of 
vegetables is renewed, I daily went out in search of caterpillars, 
accompanied by the most intelligent of my native assistants. The 
caterpillars thus collected were placed in separate breeding-cages, 
and several of the assistants were instructed to provide daily, at regu- 
lar periods, the food the individuals required, and to secure the clean- 
liness of their cages. As soon as the caterpillars were approaching to 

XVIII. 3K 


7226 Nolices of New Books. 


perfection a drawing was made of them. The same individual which 
had been submitted to the draughtsman was then separately confined, — 
watched with the most diligent care, and, as soon as it had passed 
into the state of a chrysalis, again made the object of the pencil. A 
determinate number was carefully attached to the drawing and to the 
cage of the chrysalis. As soon as the perfect insect had appeared 
and expanded its wings it was secured, set, and numbered in accord- 
ance with the larva and chrysalis. During this period every possible 
solicitude was employed to prevent mistakes. The original series, con- 
sisting of the perfect insects and the chrysalides obtained by this mode 
of proceeding, and numbered in accordance with the collection of 
drawings made at the same time, is now deposited in the Museum of 
the Honourable Kast India Company, and affords an authentic docu- 
ment of the accuracy of the details regarding the metamorphoses of 
Javanese Lepidoptera, which will be offered in the course of this 
work.” 

Dr. Horsfield does not claim the merit of being the first to consider 
the larva as important in the natural classification of Lepidoptera, but 
he is the earliest English author who calls our attention to the invaluable 
work of Denis and Schiffermuller, whose maxim and motto of “ One 
eye to the butterfly and another to the caterpillar” he cites with the 
cordial approbation it deserves. 

It does not, however, seem to me that either the authors of the now 
celebrated Vienna Catalogue, or Dr. Horsfield himself, carried out the 
obviously important principle which both profess to admire. Denis 
and Schiffermuller commence by adopting the Linnean primary groups 
as final; and Dr. Horsfield by restricting his divisions to five, in 
accordance with MacLeay’s singularly clever but most artificial hypo- 
thesis, thus grouping the whole of the Lepidoptera into Papilionide, 
Sphingide, Bombycide, Noctuide and Phalenide, and entirely ignoring 
as divisions such groups as Geometra, Pyralis, Pterophorus, Tortrix, 
Tinea and Psyche. Neither is the group Papilionide associated by any 
common character of the larva. Then the work before us makes no 
attempt whatever to pursue the hypothetical arrangement here super- 
ficially indicated. ‘The accomplished author of the idea is now no more, 
and to other hands has been allotted the important task of working 
out the details, which, I say it without any feeling of disrespect towards 
the founder, are now unfettered by any attempt to force nature into 
that harness which none of us can compel her to wear. 

The first volume, already noticed, treats of the Papilionide and 
Sphingide: the second, now before us, of the third tribe under the 


Notices of New Books. 7227 


name, Bombyces, which are divided by characters of the larva into 
eight Stirps, as follows :— 
Stirps 1. Larve sphingiformes. 
PD as fasciculate. 


2 8 oy rsh: 

3) ae SE ensprdate! 
8. oy Svertietatee: 
5»... On .. foy:.. limaciformes: 
oat hea? bon Ln 


eae: ye, lignivore. 


The first of these Stirps includes :—1st. Those xylophagous larve 
with heliophilous imagos, which form the tribe Sesie of Laspeyres, 
the genus Sesia of Guenée and Doubleday. 2nd. The Zygenide. 
3rd. The Lithosiidz and several Indian forms, which have only lately 
received names in Mr. Walker's ‘ Catalogue of the Lepidopterous Insects 
in the British Museum.’ It therefore appears that in this first Stirps, 
although professedly associated on the larval principle, cryptophagous 
and phanerophagous genera are mixed up together, and the larval 
principle is thus abandoned as soon as proposed. In any natural 
arrangement the Sesiz, being emphatically internal feeders, must be 
classed with the eighth Stirps, Lignivore, comprising Hepialus, Zeu- 
zera and Cossus. ‘The learned author is fully aware of the heteroge- 
neous nature of this first Stirps, and alludes to it somewhat apolo- 
getically. As it is impossible to separate Sesia from the other 
Lignivore, so is it unnatural to divorce Eusemia from Callimorpha 
and Chelonia; and Zygena, Eusemia, Lithosia, Callimorpha and Che- 
lonia must therefore either constitute two proximate groups running 
parallel with each other, or be fused together into a somewhat un- 
manageable whole. 

In the second Stirps, Fasciculate, the beautifully distinguishing 
character of the hairy pupa is not rigidly adhered to; and this has 
led to the introduction of genera which, it appears to me, ought to be 
excluded. The other Stirps are much in accordance with those 
now generally adopted. 

This question, however, remains. Seeing that the unnatural combi- 
nation called Sphinx by Linneus is thus broken up, why should the 
true Sphinges, reduced in the East to the small number of forty-nine 
species, constitute a separate primary division of Lepidoptera? Their 
larve are beautifully distinct. and characteristic, but then so also are 
those of the Fasciculatz, Lignivore, Ursine, Cuspidate, &c.; and in 


7228 Notices of New Books. 


no respect are the true Sphinges more distinct, more numerous or more 
important than either of these. 
The numbers of eastern species of the three primary groups or tribes 
stand thus :— 
Tribe I. Papiliones . . . 595 
Tribe IL. Sphingesviyy s|jngie-nact® 
Tribe III. Bombyces . . . 346 


There is every reason to believe that these numbers nearly represent 
the proportions of the three groups, and it is therefore clear that the 
Sphinges are not by their numbers entitled to rank as a primary group. 
Then their larve are not more different from those of the seven cha- 
racterised divisions of Bombyces than those are from each other; 
there is, in fact, no reason, logical or entomological, why they should 
rank differently from the other divisions. I therefore take the ascer- 
tained Bombyces of the East as 395. That the recorded Bombyces 
should be less in number than the Papiliones is not altogether 
remarkable when we recollect the attractive appearance and diurnal 
flight of the latter. It will be admitted on all hands that the Bombyces, 
with or without the addition of the Sphinges, is a most unsatisfactory 
group on account of its heterogeneous contents; not one of those cha- 
racters by which we are accustomed to disintegrate the Lepidoptera 
can possibly be applied to it. 

Turning our attention to the Lepidoptera at present untouched by 
the authors whose labours I am noticing, we find two groups numeric- 
ally enormous, yet singularly homogeneous in their contents, and 
singularly distinct from each other; these are the Geometre and the 
Noctue. They differ essentially both in the larva and imago states ; 
the larve of Geometre have but four claspers, those of the Noctuz 
ten; the hind wings of Geometrz have the same pattern or disposition 
of colours as the fore wings, the hind wings of the Noctuz have a 
different pattern from the fore wings; there is no similarity between 
them. ‘Then we have a group less compact and satisfactory than 
either of these, composed of the Deltoides, the Pyralites, the Ptero- 
phorites. And having eliminated all these,—that is the Diurnes, the 
Nocturnes, the Geometrz and the Noctuz, and lastly the compound 
but unnamed group of which Pyralis is the type, — we have still 
left on our hands that mass of moths which are now associated 
from their minute size and usually called Micro-Lepidoptera, but 
which are probably far more numerous, certainly more diverse, than 
any of those divisions to which I have alluded ; and we have also left 


Notices of New Books. 7229 


those abnormal Psyches or Sacktrigers which are bandied about from 
one division to auother because they will amalgamate with none. 

In“ Sphinx Vespiformis” I hinted that the Psyches might be Phryga- 
nidous (see the diagram opposite page 21); and subsequently in 
the preface to the fifteenth volume of the ‘ Zoologist, I raised the 
grave question, whether the Phryganide did not constitute a tribe of 
Lepidoptera. Now supposing this latter hypothesis to be correct, and 
it is certainly nothing more than hypothesis at present, we shall 
assuredly find the Sacktrager larva represented among the Bombyces, 
just the same as we have the cuspidate type of larva, the limaciform 
type of larva, &c. According to my view, already partially explained, 
the existence of such groups as the true Nymphalidez, the Lycenide, 
the Phryganide (if Lepidopterous), &c., all so strongly marked by the 
character of their larvee, almost necessitates the reappearance of such 
larve in the central and most diversified division of the whole class. I have 
elsewhere stated my conviction that in such a great division as that of 
the endosteate animals the existence of such marked groups as fishes, 
reptiles and birds absolutely necessitates the existence of fish-formed 
sucklers, reptile-formed sucklers and bird-formed sucklers, otherwise 
the group associated by the character of suckling the young must be 
regarded as artificial and unnatural ; but we all know how well this 
marked division bears this test: in the whale and the dolphin the fish 
is portrayed ; in the pangolin and armadillo the lizard and the tortoise 
are portrayed; and in the bat the bird is portrayed. And this theory 
of representation is illustrated throughout every part of the animal 
kingdom, and must be regarded as an essential element in all attempts 
at natural classification. Thus the existence of Sacktrager larve 
among the Lepidoptera, and their occasional appearance in forms least 
expected, as Perophorus, &c., furnishes a strong reason for assuming 
the existence of some extensive primary division of Lepidoptera, of 
which the Sacktrager larva shall be the distinctive character. A curious 
and conflicting fact has lately been discovered in the economy of 
certain Psyches, that their larve are carnivorous ; thus while the fact 
asserted by Pictet that the larvee of Phryganide feed greedily on willow 
leaves, and thus exhibit a decided approach to the normal character 
of Lepidopterous larve, the larve of Psyches, according to the recent 
observations of Mr. Ealy, actually exhibit a discrepancy just where 
one would have wished an identity of economy. All these things must 
be considered in a much more comprehensive spirit than heretofore, or 
we cannot expect to arrive at truth. 

‘The reflecting entomologist will pause before he accepts any scheme 


7230 Notices of New Boos. 


for dividing these vast tribes by any hypothetical number ; and should 
he peruse the labours of Dr. Horsfield he will find that that accom- 
plished entomologist’s attention was directed entirely to the larger 
insects—the Papiliones, Sphinges and Bombyces—and will, I think, 
not fail to conclude that Dr. Horsfield crowded together the Geometre, 
Pyrales and Micro-Lepidoptera simply because he had not studied 
them. 

This work, therefore, although containing the results of a long life’s 
labour and study, can only be regarded, first, as furnishing us with 
unquestionable details of metamorphosis, and, secondly, as giving us a 
continuous and digested list of the Papiliones, Sphinges and Bom- 
byces yet ascertained to be inhabitants of the East. This latter labour 
has devolved almost entirely on Mr. Moore, and I am sure every ento- 
mologist will appreciate highly the great industry, the sterling ability, 
and the extreme modesty with which his task has been accomplished. 

Reverting to the divisions of the larger Nocturnes, it seems evident 
to those who desire thoroughly to understand them that the larva offers 
the best character for dividing them into groups; and if we give Dr. 
Horsfield’s first group the meaning which its name implies, “ Sphinx- 
formed,” we shall then have eight perfectly natural divisions, and we 
shall find in each a heliophilous, a heliophobous and other intermediate 
groups, which may be indicated by placing them in parallel columns. 


Heliophilous Imago. Heliophobous Imago. 
SPHINGES. Macroglossa Sphinx Smerinthus 
LIGNIVORA. Sesia Hepialus Cossus 
LITHOSIZ. Zy gena Nola Lithosia 
URSIN. Glaucopis Callimorpha Chelonia 


Linneus, misled by exclusive attention to the imago, placed all 
the heliophilous families in his genus Sphinx, as well as those which 
possessed the Sphingiform larva; and he thus included a portion of 
each natural division ; so that Smerinthus, Sphinx and Macroglossa 
were Sphinges on account of the larva; Macroglossa, Sesia (Augeria 
of Fabricius), Zygena and Glaucopis were Sphinges on account of 
their imago ; Macroglossa alone possessing a double claim. All the 
eight larval divisions of Nocturnes are probably susceptible of similar 
subdivisions, not indeed into three, but into several groups; but we 
are compelled to wait for a more perfect knowledge of their metamor- 
phoses. | 

Those few entomologists who have glanced, even for the purpose 
of condemning it, at my septenary hopothesis, will recollect that Sphinx 


Notices of New Books. 7231 


formed one of my seven primary groups of Lepidoptera, a guess which 
I now believe to have been made under the influence of erroneous 
education, for who is there that does not entertain a belief in the 
primary importance of some such group? In “ Sphinx Vespiformis ” 
I reduced this group by eliminating all those families which did not 
possess the Sphingiform larva, and which Guenée has subsequently 
separated. I am now disposed to abandon it altogether, seeing in the 
family of Sphingidz, as now restricted, nothing more distinctive or 
prominent than in the other families into which the Diurnes and Bom- 
byces are by universal consent divided.— E.. N. 


‘The Honey Bee: its Natural History, Habits, Anatomy and Micro- 
scopical Beauties. By JAMES SAMUELSON. London: Van 
Voorst, Paternoster Row. 1860. 166 pp. letterpress; eight 
tinted Illustrations. Price 6s. 


In this little work the author has gathered together many of the 
most amusing facts in the history of the honey bee, and has stated 
them with perspicuity and in an agreeable manner, but he appears to me 
to rely too entirely on the assertions of others, without taking sufficient 
trouble to investigate for himself: thus Mr. Samuelson states at p. 63 
“that the queen bee is capable of producing and depositing fertile 
eggs in her virgin state, from which males alone proceed ; in fact, it is 
now tolerably well established that the eggs wherefrom drones are 
hatched are in no case fertilized by the male element.” This hypo- 
thesis has been broached by Dzierzon, restated by Siebold, and Siebold 
has. been translated into English by Dallas; but so far from being 
tolerably well established it rests on the most vague conjecture. The 
very mention of such hypotheses must be confusing to the young, and 
for such only Mr. Samuelson’s book is adapted. 

At present, however, the state of bee lore is very unsatisfactory. As 
the juries for adjudicating prizes at the Great Exhibition of 1851 
broadly pronounced every alteration made in the bee-hive during the 
last two hundred years to be a retrograde movement, so we may state 
that our knowledge of bee economy had been retrogressive also ; and 
now that more able observers and more profound thinkers have turned 
their attention to the hive-bee, we find we have to unlearn almost all 
that we have learned. Bee literature is a perfect quagmire ; there is 
safe footing nowhere, and Mr. Samuelson’s little volume may be cha- 
racterised as the well-intentioned attempt of a man in a quagmire to 


7232 Quadrupeds. 


extricate himself by leaning on the reeds. The mission of such books 
‘i@°to invite readers to observe for themselves.—E. N. 


.§ The Natural History of the Tineina.” Vol. V; containing Cole- 
ophora, Part Il. By H. T. STAinTon, assisted by Professor 
ZELLER, J. W. Doucias and Professor Frey. 228 pp. 
letterpress ; 8 coloured plates. Price 12s. 6d. 


I can say nothing in praise of this volume that I have not already 
said of its predecessors. The observations are invaluable, and the 
plates of the highest excellence.—E. N. 


The New British Rat (Mus Alexandrinus).—In the ‘ Field’ of the Ist of September 
I see reference made by Mr. Newman to a communication which I read before the 
Linnean Society some time since respecting a rat which had never before been recog- 
nised by any scientific naturalist as a member of the British fauna. My communication 
was not made to the Zoological Society six munths ago, as stated by Mr. Newman, but 
to the Linnean Society two years ago, when I exhibited several living specimens of 
the new rat as well as some of the old English black rat (AZus Rattus), with which it 
had by some been confounded. On a subsequent occasion I read a further communi- 
cation to the same Society, on the distinctive anatomical characters of the two species, 
especially in reference to their crania. I did not, as stated by Mr. Newman, “ speak of 
the new rat as a novelty;” on the contrary, I mentioned that it had long been known 
by those who dealt in rats for sporting purposes, but it had, until then, eluded the 
search of scientific naturalists. Further, I said that the rat would probably turn out 
to be the Mus Alexandrinus of Geoffroy St. Hilaire, whose figure of that species it 
resembled. The species of rat now under consideration has long been known to the 
ratting fraternity as the “ship” rat, or “ snake” rat, but is rejected by them on account 
of its extreme activity, which enables it to scale with a bound the walls of the ratting- 
pit. This rat is rather smaller than either of the other rats met with in this country. 
The tail is enormously long, and the ears exceedingly thin and large; the hair of the 
body is fine and silky, and varies in hue from blackish slate-colour to brown-gray. The 
thighs are very large and muscular, and doubtless it is this circumstance which enables 
the animal to bound with such agility. It is very fierce and voracious. That the rat 
mentioned by Mr. Francis Francis is the new one, and that it is the Mus Alexandrinus, 
is very probable, but if Mr. Newman were practically acquainted with the difficulty of 
making out with absolute certainty the specific limits of these cosmopolitan rodents, 
so subject to variety, so ready to cross-breed, he would, I think, speak a little more 
guardedly. I have not had an opportunity of comparing an English specimen with 
an undoubted Mus Alexandrinus from Alexandria, but one of the keepers at the Zoolo- 
gical Gardens, Regeut’s Park, tells me that some years since several were received 
from Alexandria, and they were exactly like my specimens. I have recently received 
some rats from one of the West India Islands; they inhabit and live upon the growing 
heads of certain palm trees. They are not, as far as external characters go, to be°dis- 


Quadrupeds. 7233 


tinguished from the new British rat, and I believed them to be identical, though the 
West Indian rats average rather larger in size, and are more uniformly of a brown 
colour. The cranial characters scarcely bear out this idea. In the British Museum, 
among the stuffed British Mammalia, is a wretched specimen, wretchedly stuffed, of 
the new rat; but it is incorrectly labelled Mus rattus, the name of the old English 
black rat, with which I suspect it has long been confounded. The cranial characters 
of the two are, however, very different, and their differences are such as are not com- 
patible with mere variety—they are specific. I may here mention that my paper on 
the cranial characters of these two rats, with figures of the skulls, will probably appear 
in an early number of the ‘ Proceedings of the Linnean Society.’ About two years 
since I presented three specimens of the new rat to the Zoological Society ; one of 
them died, but the other two are still living in the Society’s gardens, and may be found 
in the small house for Mammalia not far from the fish house. The rats are in good 
health, but accidents appear to have diminished the length of their tails, and their 
ears are covered with warts. I cannot conclude this little communication without 
expressing my belief that our knowledge of the British rats is very imperfect and not 
a little confused. The different species breed together very freely, and the offspring 
will breed with either of the parent species, resulting in endless gradations between 
the two. The new rat breeds freely with the common brown rat (Mus decumanus), 
and, where they mingle, every shade of difference between each species may be found. 
We have in this country a black rat with a white chest, probably.a variety of Mus rattus. 
In the British Museum there are two stuffed rats (chestnut coloured with white breasts), 
which were captured in Cambridgeshire, and which are either a distinct species or a 
very singular variety. A distinguished Irish naturalist, the late Mr. Robert Ball, 
believed there was still another species of rat in Ireland, which he named Mus Hiber- 
nicus. ‘The numerous readers of the ‘ Field’ might do much to clear up our uncer- 
tainty about doubtful species or varieties, and any specimens of rats exhibiting 
peculiarities or unusual appearances I should be very grateful for; and I may add 
that living specimens would be valued at the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park.— 
James Salter ; 1, Plowden Buildings, Temple. 

{I reprint the preceding from the ‘ Field’ newspaper because of its value in a 
ANatural-History: point of view, and having done so I cannot courteously omit to notice 
-Mr. Salter’s mention of my own name. My knowledge of Mr. Salter’s still unpublished 

communication I admit to have been very limited, and I accept very gladly his cor- 
rections as to the name of the Society and the date of the reading. My statements and 
suggestions about the rat, which are really the gist of the matter, seem corroborated 
by Mr. Salter’s interesting communication. A word, however, about the following 
paragraph seems necessary. ‘‘ If Mr. Newman were practically acquainted with the 
difficulty of making out, with absolute certainty, the specific limits of these cosmopolitan 
rodents, so subject to variety, sor.eady to cross breed, he would, I think, speak a little 
¢more-guardedly.” Now I wish most distinctly to disclaim all idea of “ making out 
with absolute certainty the specific limits” of the members of the rat family. Often 
as rats, black, white and brown, have been brought for me to decide the species, I have 
always declined doing so, otherwise than in such vague terms as “I think it must be 
the common brown rat.” I have never expressed an authoritative opinion of my own, 
or felt much confidence in the opinion of others. I have seen in the same litter of rats 
individuals which appeared to be of the black, and others that appeared of the brown 
species. This admixtnre of the two colours has been explained away by supposing the 


XVIII, be 65 


7234 Quadrupeds. 


existence of occasional black varieties of the brown rat, and occasional brown varieties 
of the black rat; but if this be so the names implying colour are not simply inappli- 
cable, but injurious to Science. Whether other characters are more constant than 
colour I will not pretend to say ; I think such constancy of distinctive character has 
not been made out. I feel strongly inclined to think that geographical races, as the 
old English black rat, the brown Norway rat, the slender Alexandrian rat, and several 
others, have been somewhat too readily received as species, and to regard the facility 
with which these races interbreed, and the extreme fecundity of the hybrids, as evidence 
both of the unity of the species, and of the instability of the races. The same disposition 
to vary within certain limits is exhibited in most of our domestic animals, a fact so 
well known that we either preserve races or alter them at pleasure. Who that com- 
pares the bulldog with the grayhound can fail to find in every bone characters of 
distinetion far more marked than between the fox and jackal; and it is only our 
knowledge of a multitude of facts bearing on the question that induces us to admit, 
without a moment’s hesitation, that the bulldog and grayhound are races and not 
species. I may add that I have often thought that the confusion existing between 
race and species has, in some instances, led to the reception of those hypotheses which 
break down specific limits altogether; we are too apt to argue on this subject on the 
false assuinption that we know how widely the individuals of a species can vary inter 
se: size, form and colour, as specific characters, are certainly set at nought by most of 
our domestic animals, and yet all naturalists will admit that the horse is as-distinct a 
species as the ass, although one is so versatile, the other so constant in its characters. 
Supposing the mule to be a fertile instead of a sterile animal, the specific distinction 
between horse and ass would be very difficult to maintain; and it is thus with rats: 
supposed specific distinctions are in a multitude of instances broken down by the pro- 
pensity of such supposed species to interbreed, and by the fertility of the progeny.— 
Edward Newman. | 

The African Anteater.—A letter which I have just received from Mr. Thomas Ayres, 
of D’Urban, Natal, contains the following account of the capture of a specimen of the 
great South African anteater, which may be interesting to the readers of the ‘ Zoologist.’ 
““T have lately preserved one of the large anteaters. Itis a male, and weighed 61Ibs. 
Tts length is 4 feet 6 inches, but I should judge from the softness of its ribs that it was 
not full-grown. This specimen was shot at night on a neighbouring farm, and, being 
wounded in the shoulder, was chased to his burrow; a fire was then kept alight for the 
remainder of the night, which prevented the animal from escaping. Next day eight 
Caffres were mustered with spades, &c., and set to work to dig the wounded beast oiit, 
which they wholly failed in doing. The upper crust of the ground, about four feet in 
depth, was very hard, gradually becoming more soft and sandy as they proceeded down- 
wards. The ant-bear, the whole time the digging was going on, was constantly heard 
below, working away with might and main, and although the Caffres worked hard 
they could not overtake him. The most curious circumstance is that in such eases the 
animal appears able to work its way to almost any distance under ground without 
requiring air, in its progression pressing the earth it has removed so forcibly back that 
it only occupies the same space it did before. How the animal can continue working 
in this way a whole day is wonderful; they may be said literally to walk‘through the 
earth. At sunset the work was given up, and a large gin tiger-trap set amongst the 
loose earth at the bottom of the pit which had been dug. Next morning the ant-bear 
had worked his way back and was caught in the trap, but in such a weak state from 


Birds. 7235 


the inflammation in the wounded shoulder that it was necessary to kill it, Twice T 
have been present at the attempt to dig anteaters out, and both times totally failed in 
overtaking them. Had this one not been wounded we certainly should not have got 
him.’—J. H. Gurney ; Catton Hall, Norwich, September 28, 1860. 


The Ostrich in Europe.—At the last sitting of the French Academy of Science, 
Prince A. Demidoff wrote to announce a second instance of the reproduction of the 
ostrich in Europe, at his zoological establishment of San Donato. The same female 
ostrich, which, in 1859, had produced two young, had this year laid fourteen eggs ; 
the first on the 11th of May, and then every second day one, until the 31st. A twelfth 
was laid on the 3rd of June, another on the 4th, and the fourteenth and last on the 5th. 
The female used to sit upon them for three hours daily, leaving to the male the onerous 
duty of sitting all the rest of the time. During a vivlent storm, however, which occurred 
on the 17th the female placed herself beside her mate, the better to protect the eggs 
from injury. The first bird made its appearance on the 23rd, and was soon followed 
by three more. A fifth broke its shell on the 24th, and a sixth two days later. The 
brood used regularly to pass the night under their parent’s wing. There still remained 
eight eggs; but another storm having broken out on the 26th, the old birds became 
restless and quitted their nest, nor could they be prevailed upon to return to it. Five 
of these eggs were found to be in a fair way of being hatched, but the other three were 
addled. The two young ostriches hatched in 1859 were stated to be thriving, and to 
have already nearly attained the size of their parents. M. Geoffroy St. Hilaire took 
occasion to remark, after reading this communication, that from observations made at 
the Jardin des Plantes, where the cassowary of Australia had been reproduced, it was 
proved that it is the male and not the female that sits, just as in the case of ostriches. 
—From the ‘ Field, 

Capture of an Ashcoloured Shrike (Lanius Excubitor) at Sea.—I have just had sent 
me a specimen of the above bird which was taken in the rigging of a vessel on the Ist 
of this month, when about 60 miles from land. The ship was on her way from the 
Baltic to this country, and arrived at Fraserborough (a port on the N.E. coast of Scot- 
land) two days afterwards. At Fraserborough the master of the vessel presented the 
bird, which was still alive, as a rarity to the chief officer of the Custom House. That 
gentleman had it put into a cage, and would have kept it, but it refused all sorts of 
food (Query, did it get the right sort ?), and was otherwise so very wild that at last he 
had it killed, in order to preserve its plumage. It was then forwarded here for preser- 
vation, as also to see what sort of bird it was. I may add that on dissection it proved 
to be a male, and there is no doubt of its being an immature bird, that is a bird of the 
year.— Thomas Edward ; Banff, October 8, 1860. 

Capercally Breeding in Scotland, §c.—On the 26th of September, at the Birming- 
‘ham Natural History Association, Mr. A. Franklin, taxidermist, exhibited a magnifi- 
cent hybrid of the capercally (Tetrao Urogallus) and the black grouse (Tetruo Tetrix). 
It was shot this season in Perthshire, by a gentleman of our town, and; placed in Mr. 
Franklin’s hands for preservation. The leading characters of this bird are those of the 
capercally ; the bill, however, is black. In 1852 a similar hybrid was shotin the same 

county. In 1857 a nest of uine eggs of the capercally was recorded in the ‘ Perthshire 


7236 Birds, &c. 


Courier’ as taken near Logielmond. . Associating these facts, it seems evident an® ex-* 
tirpation of the birds introduced by the Marquis of Breadalbane is not yet completely 
effected, and we hope may not be.—George R. Twinn; The Elms, Birmingham, Sep- 
tember 29, 1860. 

- Occurrence of the Buffbreasted Sandpiper (Tringa rufescens) near the Land's End.— 
On the 8th instant Mr. Vingoe, naturalist, of this place, discovered, on some high 
moor ground near a pool, a very good specimen of this little sandpiper in apparently 
the first year’s plumage. It exactly resembles in every respect the specimen which I 
gave you notice of, and which appeared in the ‘ Zoologist’ some years since. That 
specimen was killed, I think, on the sea-shore near this place. It therefore appears 
that it does not confine itself to the tidal estuaries, but affects moorland marshes. — 
Edward Hearle Rodd ; Penzance, September 26, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Red Phalarope at Scilly—On the 8th inst. a specimen of this 
small phalarope in adult winter plumage was observed swimming about in the fresh- 
water lake at Trescow. It was shot after having been fired at and flushed on the wing 
several times, the bird showing, by its returning to the same spot, its characteristic 
tameness.—Id. ; October 11, 1860. 


Zoology of the Pratas Shoal, a Coral Reef in the China Sea.— During a survey of 
the dangerous reef of coral formation in the China Sea, named usually the Pratas 
Shoal (although not a shoal but a reef), I spent a day in exploring the natural pro- 
ductions of the little island which‘arises from the sunken portion of the great subcir- 
cular reef on the western side. It is a small island composed of coral and coral-sand, 
about a mile and a half long, and halfa mile wide. It is covered with a dense scrub 
made up chiefly of Scariola lobelia. At the western end there is a salt-water lagoon 
running into it for nearly half a mile. The following enumeration of genera found 
on so small an island may be of use as illustrating the colonisation of coral islands. 


List oF ANIMALS OBSERVED ON Pratas Istanv. 

Mammals. Rat, mouse. 

Birds. Hawk, swallow, kingfisher, thrush, wagtail (two species), butcher-bird, 
cuckoo, pigeon, plover (two species), godwit (Limosa), padi-bird (Ardea), curlew, snipe, 
sanderling (two species), gannet. 

Reptiles. Turtle, lizatd (Zootoca). 

Amphibians. None. 

Fishes. None on the island. itself, except a species of Periophthalmus in the 
lagoon. 

Mollusks. Succinea, MelJanopus, Truncatella. 

Insects. Coleoptera : Opatrum, Chilocoris, Microzeum, Cryptocephalus, Haltica, 
Dermestes (in dead gannets), Calandra, Brachelytra (two species). Orthoptera : For- 
ficula, Blatta (two species), Mantis, Acheta, Gryllus, Locusta, Trnxalis. Neuroptera E 
Libellula. Hymenoptera : Formica (three species), Andrena. Lepidoptera: Sesia 
(large species), a moth with white wings common on Scavida, Tinea (small species) on 
leaves. Hemiptera : two species of sand-bug and one shield-bug. Diptera: three or 
four kinds of flies. rita 

Myriapods. Geophilus (under masses of Madrepore). 


Reptiles, &c. 7237 


_ Arachnidans. Lycosa, Walckenaera, Gastracantha, Thomisus, Saltica (four species), 
Scorpio (common under dead stems and leaves). 
Crustacea. Oxypoda (two species), Thelphusa (two species), Oniscus (two species). 
Annelides. Lumbricus (under dead coral-masses on the shores of the lagoon).— 
Arthur Adams, 


On the Probable Origin of some Sea Serpents.—An incident occurred on board the 
vessel of which I am surgeon which, I think, deserves to be recurded as an illustration 
of optical delusion that might bave become a source of error, and given rise to yet 
another sea serpent. We were sailing among the Islands of the Miatan group, at the 
entrance of the Gulf of Pe-chili. ‘There was little wind, and gentle ripples covered 
the surface of the sea. I was sipping my Congo at the open port of the ward room 
on the main deck, admiring the setting sun, and watching the rounded outlines of the 
blue mountains and distant islands against the sky, and the numbers of sea-birds 
“‘ wheeling rockwards to their nests,” when my eye rested ona long dark object apparently 
making its way steadily through the water. After observing it sometime in silence I 
was sorely puzzled and could make nothing of it. It was neither a seal nor a diver 
nor a fishing cormorant, for with their forms I was familiar; so I went on deck and 
consulted other eyes than mine. Sundry glasses were brought to bear on the suspicious 
object, and the general scrutiny seemed to decide that it was a large snake, about ten 
feet long (or much longer according to some), working its way vigorously against the 

‘tide by lateral undulations of the body. So strong was this conviction that the course 
of the ship was altered, and a boat got ready for lowering. With a couple of loaded 
revolvers, some boathooks and a fathom or so of lead-line, I made ready for the encounter, 
intending to range up alongside, shoot the reptile through the head, make him fast by 
a ¢love-hitch, and tow him on board in triumph! By this time, however, a closer 
and more critical inspection had taken place, and the supposed sea-monster turned 
himself into a long dark root, gnarled and twisted, of a tree, secured to the moorings 
of a fishing net, with the strong tide passing it rapidly, and thus giving it an apparent 
life-like movement and serpentine aspect.—Arthur Adams ; April 27, 1860. 


Singing Fish.—That part of the interesting letter from Dr. Buist, in the ‘Atheneum, 
relating to the voice of fishes, has induced me to send you this note. The River Plate 
_ swarms with fish, and is the habitat of one possessed of a very sonorous voice, like that 
found in the River Borneo—the account of which is quoted by Dr. Buist from the 
‘Journal’ of the Samarang. During the years 1845-6 H.M.S. Eagle was stationed 
in the River Plate, and anchored about three miles from Monte Video, with an vcca- 
sional change a little higher up the stream, or lower down, as far as Maldonado. 
During my service on board that ship I have often heard a loud piscatory chorus during 
the night. My cabin was in the after part of the gun-room ; and when lying in bed 
with the “ scuttle ” open (a small window about six feet from the surface of the river) 
I have listened with pleasure and curiosity to the loud sounds proceeding from these: 
creatures as they roamed in numbers round the ship. The noise they made was at. 
times very loud and close at hand, and seemed to proceed from many voiees—receding 

now and then, and becoming lost in the distance, and again returning. At other times, 


7238 Mollusks. 


as far as I could judge, a solitary voice was heard, and then a few together. There 
was little variation in the sound, which was of a deep tone, more like the rumbling of 
a drum or organ than anything else. Nevertheless, whether it was fancy or not, there 
was something pleasing, and even musical, in the sounds as they became slowly or 
suddenly distant or near, with the retreat or approach of the band. I have no doubt 
that this drumming sound came from one of the Scienoids, probably akin to the Po- 
gonias ; but the fish was never seen or caught near the ship where its voice was heard. 
Amongst the numerous varieties of fish brought on shore on hauling the seine at Mal- 
donado Bay, several were occasionally caught resembling the Pogonias Chromis, 
varying in weight from 40 to 60 Ibs.— From the ‘Atheneum,’ 

Singing Fish.—On the broad expanse, or bay of the Tagus, which extends from 
Cacilhas-Point to Aldea-Gallega, I have heard proceed from the water (and apparently 
close under the boat), on several occasions, sounds resembling the vibrations of a deep- 
toned bell, gong or pedal-pipe of an organ. The boatmen seemed to know them well, 
and generally exclaimed “ The Corvina!” This is a large fish with black fins, which 
is, I believe, to be met with occasionally in the Lisbon market.—Id. 


The Mollusca of the Firth of Clyde. By the Rev. ALFRED MERLE 
Norman, M.A. 


(Continued from p. 7213.) 


Fam. XIV. Naticide. 


Natica monilifera. Sandy beaches and bays; but not common. 

*N. nitida (Natica glaucina and N. Alderi). Common; the speci- 
mens are mostly of small size. 

N. sordida. This species is recorded by Forbes and Hanley as 
having been taken, by Mr. M‘Andrew, “ off Arran, in Scotland, in 
twenty-five fathoms.” The specimens, which I have seen, I find were 
taken on the western side of Arran—that is, in Kilbrannan Sound, and 
not in the district under consideration. I have also myself procured 
the species in Loch Fyne, so that it will probably be hereafter met 
with in the Firth of Clyde. 

N. Montagui. Common in the deeper parts of the laminarian 
and in the coralline zone among nullipore. ‘The specimens mostly 
small. 

Fam. XV. Velutinide. 

*Velutina levigata. A few specimens near the Tan Buoy, Cumbrae, 
and.in Lamlash Bay. It appears scarce. Mr. Hennedy meets with 
it at Gowrock, Naturalist, vol. 11. p. 88, 1852. 

Lamillaria perspicua (Cariocella perspicua). One living specimen 
from the large rock-pool at the Allans, Cumbrae. Dr, Landsborough 
recorded it from Lamlash. 


| 


Mollusks. 7239 


L. tentaculata (Sigaretus haliotoideus). Clyde, Smith. Mr. Roger 
Hennedy, in a paper read before the Glasgow Natural History Society, 
mentions this species, among a few others, found at Gowrock, and 
Says it “is found in May beneath stones, where it probably comes at 
that season to deposit its spawn.”—Naturalist, vol. ii. p. 88. 


Fam. XVI. Cancillariade. 


Trichotropis borealis (Fusus umbilicatus). This interesting species, 
remarkable for the epidermal bristles with which it is adorned, occurs 
sparingly in the coralline zone throughout the district. Mr. Smith 
published the shell from the Clyde under the name of “ Fusus um- 
bilicatus,” but the species had shortly before been described by 
Broderip and Sowerby. 

*Cerethiopsis tubercularis (Cerethiwm tuberculatum). Alive in rock- 
pools at Allan and Cumbrae, and dead in shell-sand. I met with an 
unusually large specimen in a rock-pool at Clachland Point, which 
measured five lines long and one line and a half broad; it had four- 
teen whorls remaining, and at least three more had been broken off. 


Fam. XVII. Muricide. 


*Purpura lapillus. Clyde specimens are mostly white or yellowish 
white. 

*Nassa reticulata (Buccinum reticulatum). Rare. I have taken 
two or three specimens, but they had a very unhealthy look, as though 
the locality did not suit them. 

N. incrassata (Nassa macula, Buccinum macula). Common. 
-*Murex erinaceus. Bute, Ayr, Smith. 

*Buccinum undatum (Buccinum anglicanum and B. carinatum). 
Common. ~ 

*Fusus antiquus. Not common in the district. 

F. norvegicus. Bute, Smith. Was it fossil? 

F, islandicus (Fusus corneus). I have taken two or three examples 
off the Tan Buoy; and it is more abundant in deep water off the 
north-east end of Little Cumbrae. “ Near Fullerton’s Rock in twenty 
fathoms,” Greville and Miles. 

*Trophon clathratus (Musus Bamfficus). . Clyde, Bute, Smith. 
Lamlash, Landsborough. 

T. bervicensis. Included as a Lamlash shell in Dr. Landsborough’s 

last corrected catalogue of the Mollusca of the Bay. 


7240 Mollusks. 


Fam. XVIII. Conide. 

*Mangelia turricola (Pleurotoma and Fusus turricolus). Scarce in 
Lamlash Bay. Ayr, Bute, Smith. 

M. rufa (Fusus rufus). Lamlash, Landsborough. Var. ulideana. 
“ Between Fullarton’s Rock and King’s Cross Point; only one speci- 
men obtained,” Greville and Miles. 

M. sepangularis (Fusus septangularis, Pleurotoma septangularis). 
Rare at Lamlash. Ayr, Bute, Smith. 

M. teres. I have dredged one living example of this beautiful 
Mangelia on the bed of old rotten scallops described under Ptilidium 
fulvum. Messrs. Greville and Miles took three specimens in Lamlash 
Bay. . 
M. Trevelliana (Pleurotoma sinuosa). The Pleurotoma sinuosa is 
said by Mr. Smith to have occurred at Ayr. 3 

M. purpurea (Fusus purpureus, Pleurotoma purpurea). A few 
specimens between Clachland Point and Holy Island. I once met 
with a dwarf form in some numbers in the large rock-pool of the 
outer Allans. 

M. Lefroyi (Fusus Boothii, Pleurotoma Boothii). This species 
was first described as British from specimens taken by Mr. Smith and 
Professor Forbes in Lamlash Bay, Cumbrae. It is frequent in other 
parts of the Clyde, also among nullipore in the coralline zone. 

M. linearis (Fusus linearis, Pleurotoma linearis). Not uncommon 
alive in Lamlash Bay, Cumbrae. 

M. gracilis (Fusus gracilis, Pleurotoma elegans). “ Clyde in fifteen 
to twenty fathoms,” M‘Andrew. Lamlash, Landsborough. 

M. nebula (Fusus nebulus). Clyde, Bute, Smith. Lamlash, Lands- 
borough. 

M. striolata (Pleurotoma Smithit). Rare near Cumbrae. It has 
also been taken by Mr. Smith and Professor Forbes “in twenty 
fathoms,” Forbes and Hanley. 

*M. costata (Fusus costatus, Pleurotoma costata, Pleurotoma co- 
arctata). Occasional in deep water. 

M. attenuata (Fusus attenuatus). Inserted in Dr. Landsborough’s 
lists, but probably in error. Mangelia striolata was probably mistaken 
for it, as that species does not occur in the lists, at pp. 160 and 363, 
of the ‘ Excursions’ which give Fusus attenuatus. 


Fam. XIX. Cypreade. 
Cyprea europea (Bulla candida, B. diaphana). Frequent. 


Mollusks. 7241 


Ovula acuminata (Bulla acuminata). Has been dredged in Lamlash 
Bay by Mr. Alder (Forbes and Hanley) and Dr. Landsborough. 
Marginella levis (Warginella voluta). Ayr, Smith. 


Div. II. OpisTHOLBRANCHIATA. 


Fam. XX. Bullide. 


*Cylichna cylindracea (Bulla cylindrica, B. cylindracea, Volvaria 
cylindrica). Occasionally dredged near Cumbrae, and in Lamlash 
Bay. Bute, Smith. 

C. truncata (Bulla truncata, Volvaria truncata). Abundant in rock- 
pools, apparently in all parts of the Clyde; and very common dead 
in shell-sand. 

*C. obtusa (Bulla obtusa). Lamlash, Landsborough. 

C. mamillata (Bulla mamillata). Frequent among shell-sand from 
Landsborough’s Bay. 

C. umbilicata (Bulla umbilicata). Rare, Lamlash Bay. 

“To this genus belongs the Volvaria alba of Brown (Ill. Conch. 
G. B. p. 8, pl. 19, fig. 48, 44), said to have been found at Greenock, 
and usually supposed to be (as British) a fossil species.”— Forbes 
and Hanley. 

Amphisphyra hyalina (Bulla hyalina, B. pellucida, Bullea minuta). 
Widely distributed throughout the district in rock-pools at spring 
tides. ; 

Tornatella fasciata (Tornatella tornatilis). I have taken a specimen 
or two to the west of Cumbrae, and also in Lamlash Bay. Ayr, Bute, 
Smith. 

Akera bullata (Bulla akera). Scarce in Lamlash Bay. Ayr, Bute, 
Smith. 

Bulla Cranchii. I dredged a single very fine specimen of this 
shell in deep water outside of Lamlash Bays 

Scaphander lignarius (Bulla lignaria).. Abundant in Kames Bay, 
and, in deeper water, about twenty-five fathoms off the Allans, 
Cumbrae; also at Lamlash. Ayr, Smith. At Whiting Bay, in 
Arran, it may be taken by “ digging in the sand at ebb-tide,” Lands- 
borough. 

Philene aperta (Buliea aperta). Not common, and always small, 
Cumbrae and Arran. Ayr, Smith. 

P. punctata (Bullea punctata). Lamlash, Landsborough. 

P. Catena (Bullea catenata, B. catenulifera}. Lamlash, Lands- 
borough. 1 dredged a living éxample of either this’ or the last 

XVIII. 3M 


7242 Mollusks. 


species off the Clerk Rock, Millport, but. the specimen was un- 
fortunately lost before it had been examined. 

P. scabra (Bullga pectinata). Rare; I have only met with it out- 
side the northern entrance of Lamlash Bay. 


Fam. XXI. Aplysiade. 


Aplysia hybrida. Young specimens in rock-pools at Cumbrae. 


Fam. XXII. Pleurobranchide. 


Pleurobranchus Plumula. Maybole, Smith. 

P. ? “Holy Island, at low water, found four individuals 
under stones; probably they are Pleurobranchus membranaceus.”— 
Greville and Miles. It is more likely that they were P. Plumula, the 
species recorded by Mr. Smith, and which was found in the Isle of 
Man by the late Professor Forbes. P. membranaceus is essentially a 
southern species. 


Fam. XXIII. Doridide. 


Doris tuberculata. Low water, Cumbrae, and at Lamlash. 

D. flammea. 1 dredged a fine specimen in deep water to the west 
of Cumbrae. Rothesay Bay, Alder. Lamlash, Landsborough. 

D. Johnstoni. Taken by Mr. Alder in Lamlash and Rothesay Bays. 

D. planata. Found by Mr. Alder when dredging in company with 
Dr. Landsborough in Lamlash Bay ; it has not again been met with. 
_D.aspera. Rothesay, Alder. 

D. bilamellata. Lamlash Bay, Landsborough. “Found under 
stones at low water on Holy Island.”—Greville and Miles. I have 
also met with it at Cumbrae. | 

Goniodoris nodosa. “ Ardrossan; plentiful near the Inch.”’—Alder 
in litt. “One example on Holy Island.”—Greville and Miles. 

G. castanea. “Saltcoats, Mr. D. Landsborough, jun.”—Alder and 
Hancock. | 

Triopa claviger. Common in the large rock-pool of the outer 
Allans, and other parts of Cumbrae; also at Lamlash. 

Aigirus punctilucens. “ Ardrossan and Isle of Man, Mr. Alder.”— 
Alder and Hancock. 

Polycera quadrilineata. Lamlash, Greville and Miles. Cumbrae 
Island, Rey. D. Landsborough, Alder and Hancock. 1 have fre- 
quently dredged it in the same locality. 

P. ocellata. Lamlash, Landsborough. 


Mollusks. 7243 


Fam. XXIV. Tritoniade. 
Tritonia plebeia. Rothesay Bay, Alder and Hancock. 


Fam. XXV. Molidide. 


Lomonotus flavidus. “We obtained the only known example of 
this species on a small Antennularia brought up by the dredge in from 
three to four fathoms water in Lamlash Bay.”— Alder and Hancock. 

Lomonotus ? Messrs. Greville and Miles dredged a Lomo- 
notus “in Brodick Bay, between Invercloy and the Corrriegills, in from 
ten to fifteen fathoms.” From the description sent by them to 
Mr. Alder, he considered it probably new, but the specimen was un- 
fortunately lost before any account of it was drawn up. The example 
was two inches in length, “white with orange -processes,” and. 
differed from L. flavidus in the “length of the velafilaments, and the 
expansion of the posterior extremity.” 

Dendronotus arborescens. ' Lamlash, Landsborough. 

Doto coronata. Lamlash, Landsborough; and I have. dredged it 
to the west of Cumbrae. 

D. fragilis. Cumbrae and Arran. 

AXolis papillosa. Lamlash, Alder. 

Af. coronata. Common under stones at low-water at Cumbrae and 
Arran; and Mr. Alder has taken it at Rothesay. 

fi. Drummondii. In similar situations to the last, and equally 
common. j 

#. rufibranchiata. Lamlash, Rev. D. Landsborough, Alder and 
Hancock. 

Ai. lineata. Saltcoats, Rev. D. Landsborough, Alder & Hancock. 

Ai. smaragdina. An ®Molis which I procured at Cumbrae came 
nearer to the description and figures of this species than any other in 
Alder and Hancock’s work. It, however, differed in certain par- 
ticulars, which I cannot now recall to mind. 

Ai. Landsburgi. I have taken this lovely species at Cumbrae. It 
was first met with by Mr. Landsborough, jun., at Saltcoats. 

4. alba. Rothesay Bay, Alder and Hancock. Lamlash, Lands- 
borough. Isle of Cumbrae. 

Z. olivacea. Rothesay Bay, Alder and Hancock. Lamlash, 
Landsborough. 

£. aurantiaca. Taken by Mr. Alder at Ardrossan, Alder and 
Hancock. 


7244 Mollusks. 


#:. glottensis. ‘We procured a single specimen of this Aolis in 
June, 1846, while dredging in company with our friends, the Rev. 
Dr. Landsborough and his son, in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran.”— 
Alder and Hancock. “Gotta” is the Latin name for Arran. 

Ah. viridis. “At low-water mark, Saltcoats and Portincross, Ayr- 
shire, Rev. D. Landsborough, jun.”—Alder and Hancock. 

i. amethystina. Lamlash, Landsborough. 

Kmbletonia pulchra. Rothesay Bay, Alder; Saltcoats, Rev. D. 
Landsborough, Alder and Hancock. 

Runcina Hancocki. Rock-pools, Farland Point, Cumbrae, in com- 
pany with the Limapontia. 


Fam. XXVI. Elysiade. 


Elysia viridis. Common in rock-pools in all parts of the coast that 
I have examined. 


Fam. XXVIII. Limapontiade. 


Limapontia nigra. Abundant in rock-pools at Farland Point, Isle 
of Cumbrae. 


Div. IIT. PuLMonIFERA. 
Fam. Auriculide. 


Conovulus denticulatus (Voluta denticulata). This species is in- 
serted in Mr. Smith’s catalogue without locality. It may therefore 
only have been found by him in the north east of Ireland, whence 
T have received specimens. 

C. bidentatus (Voluta bidentata). I have procured a few examples 
from shell-sand dredged in Lamlash Bay. Mr. Smith also records it 
from Bute. 


Class V. CEPHALOPODA. 


Div. DIBRANCHIATA. 


Fam. I. Octopodide. 


Eledone cirrhosus (Octopus octopodia, Eledone oclopodes). Ayr, 
Smith. Lamlash, Landsborough. 


Fam. Il. Teuthide. 
Loligo media. Maybole, Smith. 


Fam. IIT. Sepzade. 
Sepia officinalis. Ayr, Smith. 


Mollusks. 7245 


Addenda. 


Molgula ? I dredged a species, which may perhaps be 
M. rustica, in great abundance in 1857, between Clachland Point and 
the Corriegills. It occurred in deep water. Further observation is 
required to identify the species. 

Pholas candida. In “An Account of a Day’s Excursion to Bute, 
by James P. Fraser, Esq.,” a short paper published in the ‘ Naturalist’ 
(vol. 1. 1851, p. 127), I find the following reference to this shell as 
occurring at Rothesay :—“ The state of the tide precluded our getting 
at the ground where Pholas candida is very abundant; but we were 
not much too late, for one of our party, who in his enthusiasm had 
rushed into the water, said he was standing on the bank which 
contained them.” Mr. Fraser does not appear to have procured 
specimens, and an error may have been made with respect to the 
species. 

Lyonsia norvegica. ‘‘ Between Holy Island and Clachland Point.” 
—Greville and Miles. 

Tapes pullastra. ‘ Holy Island, &c.”—Greville and Miles. 


The following names occur in Mr. Smith’s ‘ Catalogue,’ which 1 find 
it impossible to recognise as synonyms of our admitted species :— 
Tellemya ovata, Brown, perhaps a form of Kellia suborbicularis ; 
Amphidesma ovale; Tellina punicea, exvutic ; Crassina depressa, 
fossil ? (vide Forbes and Hanley, vol. i. p. 471) ; Venus sulcata, exotic 
(vide Forbes and Hanley, vol. i. p. 470) ; Cardium medium, exotic ?; 
Lima sinuosa, synonym of Lima hians?; Pecten medius ; Turbo oli- 
vaceus ; Pyramis pallidula ; Cerethium elegans, exotic. 

The following in ‘ Landsborough’s Excursion’ present similar diffi- 
culties :—Crania spiralis; Cardium medium; Turritella ambigua ; 
Helix bicolor, probably one of the Skenez ; Cerethium elegans; Ris- 
soa scalariformis. 

Of the Mollusca referred to in this Catalogue the following seventeen 
may safely be considered to have been erroneously recorded as denizens 
of the Clyde :— 


Panopea norvegica Pecten islandicus 
Venus verrucosa Trochus exiguus 
Astarte arctica »  cTassus 
Cardium aculeatum Jauthina communis. 
Leda oblonga Rissoa abyssicola 


» truncata Chemnitzia clathrata 


7246 Mollusks. 


Chemnitzia eximia Fusus norvegicus 
Truncatella Montagui Mangelia attenuata 
Natica sordida 


The right of the seventeen species in the next list (and perhaps one 
- or two others also) to be admitted may also be questioned, and their 
retention must be dependant on the results of future investigation. 


Pholas candida Rissoa vitrea 
Thracia pubescens Odostomia plicata 
Solen marginatus Murex Erinaceus 
Syndosmya tenuis Mangelia Treveliana 
Pecten niveus , Marginella levis 
Trochus Alabastrum Pleurobranchus membranaceus. 
Rissoa costulata A£olis smaragdina 
»  Semistriata Conovulus denticulatus 
5. rnbra, 


It must be borne in mind that the difficulties which a naturalist had 
to contend with before the publication of ‘ The British Mollusca’ were 
very great, and errors in nomenclature consequently frequent, even in 
the best cabinets ; and this was especially the case with respect to.the 
more critical and minute species. The exotic shells—unless the errors 
consisted in nomenclature—and the South British forms may have 
been transported to the Clyde in ballast, a most prolific source of aliens 
in years gone by, while five of the species formerly admitted were 
post-tertiary fossils. 

Excluding the thirty-four above-mentioned species'from the list, the 
number of Mollusca inhabiting the Firth of Clyde will be found to be 
three hundred and five. 

The “ Clyde Province ” may be divided into three subprovinces :— 
1. The Firth of Clyde; 2. Loch Fyne (including Kilbrannan Sound) ; 
3. The North Channel. The first of these subprovinces forms the 
subject of the present paper. Subjoined are lists of the Mollusca which 
have been met with in the last two subprovinces, but which have not 
as yet been noticed in the Firth of Clyde. 


Locu Fyne. 

Cynthia quadrangularis Tellina proxima (fossil) 
*Nezra costellata *Syndosmya intermedia 
* ,, abbreviata *Lucina ferruginusa 

Pandora obtusa Nucula decussata 


* These species have been met with by myself; the rest are inserted on the 
authorities given by Forbes and Hanley. 


Mollusks. 


*Pecten furtivus (Loven) 
Scissurella crispata 
*Rissoa zetlandica 
* 4,  sculpta 
»  ecrenulata 
* ,,  abyssicola 
Eulima bilineata 
*Chemnitzia fulvocincta 
Odostomia acuta 


7247 


Odostomia insculpta 
*Eulimella Scille 
Se acicula 
sy affinis 
*Natica sordida 
Velutina flexilis 
Cylichna nitidula 
» strigella 


- Philene pruinosa 


Tue Norra CHANNEL.® 


Sidnyum turbinatum 
Amouroncium proliferum 
Leptoclinum maculosum 
* a5 asperum 
Distoma rubrum 
Botryllus polycyclus 
»  gemmeus 
smaragdus 
a bivittatus 
Ascidia scabra 
» _aspersa 
»  conchilega 
Cynthia claudicans 
Teredo nana 
» _ cucullata (Norman) 
»  fimbriata (Jeffreys) 
Pholas parva 
» candida 
Pholadidea papyracea 
Solecurtus candidus 
Modiola Tulipa 
Pecten furtivus (Loven) 
tTerebratula capsula (Jeffreys) 
_ Argiope cistellula 
Chiton albus 
»  Hanleyi 
»  cancellatus 


Trochus striatus 
» cinerea (Gould) 
+Phasianella pullus 
Tanthina communis 
+Lacuna crassior 
» _labiosa (Loven) 
Littorina fabalis 
+Rissoa crenulata 
+t ,»  Calathus 
Cerethium niveum (Jeffreys) 
Chemnitzia scalaris 
ss rufa 
tEulima bilineata 
Odostomia alba 


a conspicua 
PP truncatula 
5 Gulsone 


Natica helicoides 
+t 5,  clausa (Brod. and Sow.) 
Cerethiopsis pulchella (Jeffreys) 
tMurex Erinaceus 
Nassa pygmea 
tAstyris Holbollii (JZiller) 
t+Trophon clathratus 
+t 5 scalariformis (Gould) 
Mangelia Treveliana 
m4 reticulata (Philippi) 


® The waters of the coast of Antrim extending northward to the Mull of Cantire 
and Arran. 

+ The species thus marked are in my own collection. The Tunicata and Cepha- 
lopoda are on the authority of Mr. W. Thompson. The testaceous forms are chiefly 
extracted from Mr. Jeffrey’s recent ‘“‘ Gleanings ” in the ‘ Annals of Natural History.’ 
A few also together with the Nudibranchs from Forbesand Hanley. For Odostomia 
conspicua and Ovula patula see ‘ Natural History Review,’ vol. vi. “ Proceedings 
of Societies,” pages 79 and 85. 


7248 Mollusks.. 


Ovula patula Conovulus albus 
Cylichna Lajonkaireana (Hat) Sepiola atlantica 

5 nitidula Rossia macrosoma ? 
Philene quadrata Loligo vulgaris 
Doris ulideana Ommastrephes Eblane 
olis tricolor Spirula Peronii 


Hermea bifida 


I am of opinion that the Arctic Mollusca (Natica clausa, Astyris 
Holbélliit, Lacuna labiosa, Trophon scalariformis, &c.), which have 
recently been dredged on the Turbot Bank off Larne, and have 
created so much interest, must be regarded as fossil. Although the 
shells are in a beautiful state of preservation, they show symptoms of 
having been washed to their present site from a matrix of red shelly 
marl. In some specimens the marl may be found still within the 
mouth ; in almost all, signs of it may be seen in the red stains of the 
suture. Even as fossil they are highly interesting, as indicating a bed 
different in character from any yet discovered ; but shown by the cha- 
racter of the shells found to belong to the glacial period. 

If the Mollusca met with in Loch Fyne and the North Channel be 
added to those of the Firth of Clyde, the number of species hitherto 
taken in the whole “ Clyde Province” amounts to three hundred and 
ninety-four. 

Several of the rarest species of the Firth of Clyde are much more 
abundant in the other subprovinces. 

There can be little doubt that there are several species yet to be 
discovered in the Firth of Clyde, and probably careful dredging in the 
mid-channel between Arran and Ayrshire would be rewarded by the 
finding of some of the deep-water Loch Fyne forms. 


ALFRED MERLE NoRMAN, 
Sedgefield, Ferry Hill, 
October 9, 1860. 


Errata.—Page 5876, line 34, for “ Veniorupis” read “ Venerupis” Page 5877, 
line 12, for “ striata” read “ striatula” Page 5878, line 12, for “ Bay ;” read “* Bay.” 
Page 5882, line 28 and line 32, for “trians” read “hians” Page 5884, line 13, dele 
“coast” Page 7203, line 26, for “ B. levis” read “C. levis” Page 7204, line 5, for 
“skin” read “spire” Page 7207, line 28, for “common ;” read ‘‘common.” Page 
7208, line 14, for ‘“‘ Eulenia distorta” read “ Eulima distorta” Page 7209, line 11, 
for “Lamlash ;” read “ Lamlash.” Page 7210, line 22, for “had” read “have” Page 
7211, line 12, for “ elathrus” read “‘clathrus” Page 7211, line 19, for “Adis” read 
“Aclis” Page 7212, line 25, for “ Halichondria favinaria” read “‘ Halichondria ae 
aria” Page id line 31, for “ Lover” read “ Loven”—A. M. N. 


Insects. 7249 


Reported Occurrence of Lyceana Acis in Epping Forest.—I am happy to inform 
you that I captured a specimen of Lycena Acis last Friday, August 31, in Epping 
Forest. Although slightly damaged it is in other respects a very fair specimen, As 
Mr. Newman, in his excellent “Buttery Number of Young England,” says the 
species is not now obtained, this announcement may be interesting to some of my 
young friends. — W. Banks; 5, George's Terrace, Copenhagen Street, Islington, 
September 3, 1860.—‘ Young England.’ 

[Will Mr, Banks oblige me by bringing the specimen to this office to have this 
interesting statement verified ?—Edward Newman. ] 

Pupe of Sphinx Convolvuli.—A considerable number of the pupe of Sphinx Con- 
volvuli have again been dug up in the potato fields in the South of England; and 
I am indebted to Mr. Bond for a very fine specimen for the cabinet of the Entomo- 
logical Club. Entomologists finding these pupe in potato fields are earnestly 
requested to observe whether the Convolvulus arvensis or any other plant is growing 
among the potatoes.— Edward Newman. 

Capture of Cherocampa Celerio at Darlington.—I have a fine specimen of this 
insect, which was taken here on Sunday last, off a window-ledge, by a friend of mine, 
and was given to me.— W. Beadnell ; Northgate, Darlington.—‘ Intelligencer.’ 

Capture of Cherocampa Celerio at Matlock.—A fine specimen of this insect was 
taken at Matlock, on the 20th ult., by a gentleman, at whose house I saw it last week. 
It was fluttering in the long grass and herbage beneath a clump of fir trees, about 
six o’clock in the evening, having evidently just emerged from the pupa state. .My 
friend put his hat over it, but having no net or box at hand he was obliged to 
grasp it rather roughly with his fingers, nip it beneath the wings, and pin it with a 
lady’s common shawl-pin.—F’. Tearle ; Grammar School, Kettering, October 5, 1860. 
—Id. 

Capture of Cherocampa Celerio at Nottingham.—On Saturday evening last a party 
of workmen brought a large moth to the Museum of the Natural History Society for 
identification. Their capture was eagerly compared with the occupants of the case, 
and, to the evident delight of its owners, found to tally exactly with Cherocampa 
Celerio, with the exception that it had “no horns.” It had been taken in a factory 
in the town, into which, from the partiality of its species for light, it had no doubt 
been attracted by the glare of what the Lancashire operatives term “the manu- 
facturer’s sun,” too close contact with which had probably deprived it of its antennz. 
— September 24, 1860.—Id. 

Capture of Charocampa Celerio at Wakefield.—At the meeting of our Naturalists’ 
Society on Thursday last, a splendid living specimen of Cherocampa Celerio, as if 
just emerged from the pupa,,was exhibited by Mr. Talbot. It was in excellent 
condition, and did not appear to have made use of its wings.—H. S. Roxby; Wake- 
field, October 1, 1860.—Id. 

Capture of Sphinx Celerio at Beccles.—I saw a beautiful specimen of Sphinx 
Celerio in the shop of Mr. Steel, chemist, of Beccles: it entered the shop, attracted 
by the light, and settled on a door.— W. Winter ; Aldeby, October 15, 1860.—Id. 

Occurrence of Sesia Spheciformis in Sussex. — A friend of mine having taken an 
extremely fine female of Sesia Spheciformis in Sussex, was kind enough to conduct 
me to, the locality, where I had the good fortune to secure a second specimen, also a 
female, as it was flying lazily over the fern: the date was the middle of July, probably 


XVIII. 3.N 


7250 Insects. 


a month later than usual, owing to the backwardness of the season.—Frederick 
Bond ; 24, Cavendish Road, October 19, 1860. 

Description of the Larva of Rumia crategata.—Rests in tony a straight posture, 
the head slightly bent downwards. Head small, slightly notched on the crown, 
curiously impressed on the face, the impression being double—that is, a small trian- 
gular depression within a larger and vaguer one: a large erect nipple-shaped hump, 
like a horn, on the back of the 7th segment; two small distant warts on the back of the 
8th, and two rather larger ones on the back of the 9th; two abortive claspers beneath 
the 8th segment, and two small but still useable claspers beneath the 9th; a fringe of 
fleshy tubercles on each side between the 10th and 13th segments ; these seem ap- 
pressed to the twig when the larva is at rest. Colour very inconstant, varying from 
green to brown, but generally opaque brown. ;Feeds on Crategus oxyacantha (white- 
thorn). There appear to be two broods of this insect; I have had the larva full fed in 
June, September and October.—Edward Newman. : 

Description of the Larva of Eurymene dolobraria.—Head divided into two obvious 
portions, indented on the crown, but not bifid: body with the 3rd segment evidently 
incrassated or tumid; the 9th with a transverse dorsal swelling; there are no other 
warts or excrescences either on the back or belly. Colour dark sombre brown, with 
two distant white dots on the back of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th segments ; 
spiracles black, but the region around the spiracles rather paler, indistinctly mottled 
with gray. Feeds on Betula alba (birch); full fed on the 2nd of October; draws the 
leaves of the food-plant together, and changes to a pupa in the interior; remains a 
pupa all the winter. I am indebted to Mr. Thomas Huckett for this larva, as well as 
for the three which follow.—Id. 

Description of ‘the Larva of Selenia illunaria.—Head porrected, body when at rest 
bent back at the 4th segment; the 3rd segment rather tumid at the sides; the 4th 
rather tumid beneath, the 3rd pair of legs being seated in the swelling ; 8th and 9th 
segments have each a pair of acute, approximate humps on the back. Body bright 
rust-coloured, but neither uniform in tint as regards a number of individuals, nor of 
uniform colour in the same individual, there being numerous shades and tints too 
various and too inconstant to describe; on the back’ of the 6th segment are two very 
distinct yellow spots. Feeds on Betula alba (birch), and is double-brooded; ‘the 
second brood is full fed at the end of September; it spins a slight cocoon among the 
leaves, and remains in the pupa state all the winter.—JId. 

Description of the Larva of Selenia lunaria.—Rests in a curved posture and 
oscillates the anterior part of the body when disturbed. Head not perceptibly notched ; 
body singularly humped; 3rd segment tumid, having on each side a large subdorsal 
hump; 4th segment rather tumid below, the legs on the swollen portion; 6th segment 
with a large transverse dorsal hump, and a smaller obtuse lateral hump on each side; 
7th segment with two dorsal warts and a large lateral hump on each side; 8th with 
two dorsal warts; 9th with a large dorsal hump, having a double indentation on its 
summit; 12th with two approximate small dorsal warts: colour green, gray or brown, 
with scarcely any variety of shading.. Feeds on Quercus Robur (oak); full fed in Sept. ; 
spins a few leaves together, and remains in the pupa state throughout the winter.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Selenia illustraria.—Head porrected ; body when at rest 
bent back at the 4th segment, which is rather tumid beneath, the third pair of legs 
being seated on the swelling; the back is bowed and the figure altogether very 
singular; the 5th and 6th segments have each two small humps on the back; the 8th 


Insects. 7251 


and 9th have each four small humps ranged in a transverse linear series; the 12th 
segment is full and square on the back, but not humped. The colour of this larva is 
rich purple-brown, varied with beautiful tints of orange-brown and pearly gray, 
reminding one very forcibly of the exquisite colouring of the perfect insect. Com- 
monly found feeding on Betula alba (birch), but eats the leaves of other trees, and in 
captivity feeds voraciously on Salix caprea (sallow): it is double-brooded, the first 
brood of larve being full fed on the Sth of July, the second at the end of September; 
it fastens together the leaves of its food-plaut by a few silken threads, and changes to 
a pupa in the cot thus produced. See a description of this larva by Mr. G. F. 
Mathew, at page 6789 of the ‘ Zoologist.— Edward Newman. 

Capture of Dosithea eburnata near Conway.— Having taken one of the above 
insect on the last day of July, 1856, near Conway, I have visited the locality every 
year since—last year three times, and three times this year—and found one sitting on 
the wall on Bangor New Road, about half-way between Conway and the large rock 
that projects out into the Irish Sea, opposite Puffin Island. My old friend Mr. Greg-. 
son was with me when I found it; this was on the 8th of August, 1860. — Thomas 
Hague ; “ Dog and Partridge,” Staleybridge, September 24, 1860.—‘ Intelligencer. 

Description of the Larva of Acidalia scutulata. — Long, slender and tapering 
towards the head. Ground-colour pale drab, yellowish on the anterior and posterior 
segments. Central dorsal line very distinct, dark brown, ceasing on the post-capital 
segment ; on either side of the latter the rudiments of a dusky subdorsal line. Back 
and sides marbled with indistinct slanting lines and dusky spots. Spiracular line 
whitish ; subspiracular line dusky, waved. Belly dusky, with numerous dark wavy lines 
and a horizontal chain of dusky oval spots. Body sparingly strewed with short hairs. 
Taken in October, on flowers of Pimpinella Saxifraga; hybernated and fed-up in 
April, on flowers of Anthriscus sylvestris. Harpur Crewe ; The Rectory, Drayton- 
Beauchamp, Herts, Oetober 17, 1860. 

Occurrence of Eupithecia helveticata in Buckinghamshire. — About a month since 
Mr. Wilson kindly sent me a few larve of E. helveticata from Scotland. As their 
food-plant, Juniperus communis, grows wild upon some of our chalk-hills, I thought 
there was no just cause or impediment why the larva should not occur here as well as 
on the other side of the Tweed ; so I donned my stick and umbyella, and went out for 
an hour’s thrashing. Iam happy to say that my labours were crowned with success. 
I brought home five larve. I have been out several times since, and have each time 
taken a few more. I have little doubt that wherever the juniper grows wild this insect 
eccurs.— Id. 

Description of the Larva of Eupithecia abbreviata.—Slender, hairy, tapering towards 
the head. Ground-colour pale yellowish red. Central dorsal line pale olive. Down the 
centre of the back a series of pale olive V-shaped spots, sometimes bordered with yellow. 
_ Spiracular line yellowish. Segmental divisions red. Central ventral line yellowish, 
sometimes altogether wanting. Dorsal spots frequently merged in a broad central 
line. The whole of the markings on this larva vary much in intensity of colouring, 
but are usually faint and indistinct. Feeds on oak. Full-fed the beginning of July. 
Pupa enclosed in a slight earthen cocoon; bright red; thorax and wing-cases paler 
than abdomen ; base of wing-cases dusky ; abdominal divisions and tip deep red, 
Perfect insect appears the end of April and in May.—Jd. 

Note on the Pupation of Eupithecia tenuiata.— The larva of this insect, when full 
fed, comes out of the sallow catkins, and spins a slight cocoon among earth, roots of 


7252 Insects. 


grass or moss. The pupa is pale golden yellow. Abdominal divisions dusky. _ Tho- 
rax and wing-cases having a slight greenish tinge. Eyes prominent, blackish. Ab- 
domen short and curtailed.—H. Harpur Crewe. 

_ Description of the Larva of Cidaria pyraliata.—Long, slender and tapering towards 
the head. Ground-colour grass-green. Central dorsal line broad, dark green, bor- 
dered on either side by a pale yellow line. Segmental divisions yellow. Central ven- 
tral line yellow. These larve were hatched in March, from dark yellow eggs laid the 
previous August. They fed till the last month on Galium Mollugo, afterwards on 
G. aparine. Full-fed the second week in May. The pupa, which was enclosed in a 
slight cocoon among leaves, was pale drab, resembling in colour the pupa of Enno- 
mos angularia or E. erosaria.—Id. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe hastata. —Head of moderate size: body, 
when at rest, almost straight; the head not tucked in, and hence the anterior 
part of the body not involute; 2nd segment covered with a shining plate; the 
other segments regularly transversely wrinkled, and of a texture like leather; the 10th 
segment is rather the largest, and from that the larva tapers slightly to both extremities. 
Head black and shining: body generally black, but sometimes rich black-brown: on 
each side is a continuous series of minute white dots, which form a slender lateral 
stripe along all the segments except the 2ndand 13th; thisstripe is above the spiracles : 
the spiracles are black, and each is enclosed in a white spot, and below each white 
spot is a crescentic white marking, the convexity of which is towards the belly, the 
cusps towards the back; above the slender lateral stripe already described there is 
sometimes an interrupted subdorsal stripe: all these markings vary occasionally from 
white to brick-dust red. Feeds on Betula alba (birch) and Myrica Gale (sweet gale). 
The economy, habit, structure and distribution of colour in the larva of Melanippe 
hastata are entirely different from those of any other of the genus; it spins together 
the leaves of its food-plant, and feeds from the inside of the chamber thus formed, 
sometimes eating through the substance of the leaf, at others eating only the upper 
surface; it is full feed on the 27th of August, and soon afterwards becomes a pupa, in 
which state it passes the winter. Iam indebted to the Rev. J. Hellins for the free use of 
his valuable notes in describing the larve of the genus Melanippe, and also of a series 
of most exquisite coloured drawings of each species by Mr. Buckler.—E. Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe tristata.—Cylindrical, slightly attenuated in 
front, rests in nearly a straight posture, but when disturbed tucks in its head, and the 
anterior part of the body is then slightly involute. Head brown, dotted with black : 
body brown, with a dark, nearly black, narrow median stripe ; on each side of this are 
two white dots on each segment ; and on each side of the body are two narrow, pale, 
slightly undulating, stripes, the lower of which is immediately above the spiracles ; 
these two stripes are most delicately margined with black. This larva is extremely 
constant in colour. Feeds on Galium Mollugo (the great hedge bedstraw), and is 
full fed on the Ist of August : it spins a slight cocoon on the surface of the earth, and 
remains in the pupa state throughout the winter.— Id. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe procellata.—Cylindrical and elongate; 3 rests 
in nearly a straight posture, which it retains when disturbed. Head rather small, brown, 
dotted with black, and having two divaricating darker stripes, nearest together on the 
crown and most distant at the mouth: body wainscot-brown, lighter from the 10th 
to the 13th segments, both inclusive ; there is a median varied stripe on the back, 
commencing indistinctly on the 3rd segment, and dilating into a conspicuous dark 


Insects. 7253 


blotch at the commencement of the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th segments; before and after 
each of these blotches the median stripe assumes a reddish hue, and again assumes a 
deep black immediately after the red; on each side of this varied median stripe is a 
paler stripe, also very slender, and beyond these are three smoke-coloured stripes, rather 
diffuse and ill-defined; the first of these on each side passes into the head, and termi- 
nates on each side the mouth, as already described: on the back of each segment are 
two or four black dots: the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th segments are slightly darker than the 
rest ; the spiracles are black. Feeds on Clematis Vitalba (the traveller's joy), and is 
full fed on the 16th September; spins a slight web, and remains in the pupa state 
throughout the winter.— Hdward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe unangulata.—Body stout, rather attenuated 
at both ends, rests with the head tucked in, the anterior part of the body, when dis- 
turbed, being curled in, or curved in the manner of the Ionic volute. Head brown, 
beautifully dotted and marked with black : body smoky brown, delicately mottled and 
varied; the back may be said to have seven smoke-coloured stripes, alternating with 
paler stripes: the median stripe is not perceptible on either the 2nd or 13th segment, 
but is distinct and uninterrupted on the 3rd and 4th segments; on the 5th, 6th, 7th 
and 8th segments it is suddenly dilated anteriorly, and more gradually posteriorly, and 
is extremely attenuated and scarcely perceptible on the remaining segments ; on each 
of the interstices between the segments, commencing between the 4th and 5th, is a 
short transverse reddish band, terminated at each extremity by a longitudinal black 
spot ; the remaining smoke-coloured stripes, three in number on each side of the me- 
dian stripe, are scarcely susceptible of verbal definition : each segment of the belly 
after the 4th has a cluster of black dots which are not present in any other British 
species of the genus, but Mr. Hellins informs me that markings of the same colour 
and character occur in Cidaria picata. Feeds on Alsine media (chickweed), and is 
full-fed on the Ist of August; spins its cocoon on or just under the surface of the 
earth, and remains in the chrysalis state all the winter. In captivity it is sometimes 
double-brooded, but not in a state of nature. Mr. Hellins observes that the published 
descriptions of the perfect insect, being drawn from captured or faded specimens, do 
not mention the lovely purplish red tint which pervades the dark markings of the wings 
and body while the moth is fresh from the pupa-case, but which cannot be shown in 
the cabinet, as in a few weeks it seems totally to vanish.—Id. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe rivata.—Head of nearly the same diameter 
as the body, which is uniformly cylindrical: rests generally in a slightly bent posture, 
but when disturbed tucks in the head, thus giving to the anterior portion of the body 
the figure of the Ionic volute. Head dusky brown, with two darker brown lines 
meeting on the crown: colour of the body red-brown or dingy brown, beautifully 
variegated and mottled ; the 2nd and 3rd segments have a median black line, and on 
each side of this is a direct white line, which extends into the 4th segment; on each 
of four succeeding segments is a somewhat horse-shoe-shaped median white mark ; 
these marks might be called lozenge-shaped, but they are open at the posterior ex- 
tremity ; on the 10th segment, and extending thence tu the extreme tip of the 13th, 
is a broad median dark brown stripe, and, separated from this by a space equal to its 
own diameter, is a white stripe of corresponding length, terminated at its anterior 
extremity by a somewhat comma-shaped jet-black mark, which has a white dot in the 
head of the comma ; on each side of the median markings is a series of white dots ; 
the 3rd and 4th segments have two dots each, the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th have four 


7254 Insects. 


- 


each; the 9th.and following ones have two each; there are several indistinct stripes 
and dots on each side of the body. Feeds on Galium Mollugo (the great hedge bed- 
straw), and is full fed on the 22nd July, when it spins a cocoon on the surface of the 
earth. This species sometimes becomes double-brooded in captivity, but not in a state 
of nature.— Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe subtristata. — Head of nearly the same dia- 
meter as the body, which is uniformly cylindrical; rests generally in a nearly straight 
posture, but when disturbed tucks in its head very tightly, thus giving to the anterior 
portion of the body the figure of the Lonic volute. Head pellucid, smoky brown 
dotted with black, and having two darker brown lines which meet on the crown: body 
brown, beautifully variegated and mottled; the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments have a 
median black line, and on each of the six succeeding segments is a somewhat horse- 
shoe-shaped median white mark, the last of which terminates in a median brown 
stripe, which extends through the 11th and 12th segments, and to the extreme tip of 
the 13th; these marks might be called lozenge-shaped, but they are open at the pos- 
terior extremity ; the enclosed space in each is brick-red, with a median transverse 
black bar; there are two or four white dots on the back of each segment, and nume- 
rous waved markings of different shapes on the sides. Feeds on Galium Mollugo (the 
great hedge bedstraw), and is full-fed on the 30th June, when it spins a slight cocoon 
on the earth, and changes toa pupa. This species is double-brooded both in a state 
of nature and in captivity. The question whether the two species of Melanippe, rivata 
and subtristata, are identical or distinct, is one which has often occupied the attention 
of our most acute lepidopterists ; I confess myself unable to appreciate the reasons 
that have been assigned for considering them identical, and have therefore always kept 
them separate: this opinion, however, has been formed almost entirely on superficial 
grounds, and without that minute attention to distinctive characters on which alone 
such a conclusion should be grounded. It is therefore with extreme pleasure that I 
now cite from the memoranda of Mr. Hellins the following excellent observations :— 
“ Between the larve of Melanippe rivata and M. subtristata there is at first sight as 
great a similarity as exists between the same insects in the perfect state: the ground- 
colour of both is the same, varying from a pale fawn-colour through a greenish brown 
to a dull green, and even sometimes to a bright green, the lines and borders ofj the 
markings being of a deeper tint of the ground-cclour, and often tinged with a good 
deal of red; in both, the segmental divisions are light red, though this indeed may be 
observed in a very great number of gray, and brown larve, and in both the dorsal 
markings are of the same shape, namely, dark longitudinal lines bordered with light 
on the front and hind segments, and on the intermediate ones blunt white arrow- 
heads,* pointing forwards and placed at the segmental divisions, the white being 
clearest and brightest at the point, enclosing a diamond-shaped spot of a dark tint of 
the ground-colour, which at ils hinder end runs indistinctly into the broken dorsal line, 
and themselves enclosed, on the front edge, by a dark suffused V-shaped mark, the 
apex of which runs into the dorsal line, and the sides appear to reach down to the 
spiracles, but become indistinct when examined with a lens. So far these species are 
alike, but a careful examination of a number of specimens during the past two or three 


* Perhaps lozenges would be a better word, but the other was chosen on account 
of the opening of the hinder end, which seems to admit the shaft of the arrow.—J. H. 


Insects. 7255 


years has led to the conclusion that they differ as follows:—The larva of M. rivata, as 
might be expected from the relative size of the two perfect insects, is invariably the 
larger ; it is also more delicately tinted, and has the lines better defined ; its dorsal 
atrow-heads moreover are but four in number, being placed on the divisions between 
segments 5 and 9; the seeming arrow-head between segments 4 and 5 on examina- 
tion with a lens shows no white, and barely an interruption of the dorsal line; and the 
dorsal line which recommences between segments 9 and 10 is not preceded by any clear 
white: in M.subtristata the whole back is generally more clouded, the subdorsal lines 
which form the boundaries of the white arrow-heads not. being defined; the arrow- 
head mark between segments 4 and 5, in M. subtristata, when examined with a lens, 
becomes quite distinct, and though not so perfectly formed as the four others that fol- 
low it, is yet quite plain and complete ; between segments 9 and 10 also there is a 
well-detined half arrow-head, the hinder part of which runs into the lines on the hind 
segments, the entire number of arrow-heads being thus five and a half instead of only 
four. The difficulty of obtaining both species in the same stage, at the same time, no 
doubt renders this comparison less perfect than it might be could they be placed side 
by side; but the first or June brood of larve of M. subtristata are all gone down 
before the single brood of M. rivata have assumed the characteristic markings ; and 
these again are gone down before the August and September larve of M. subtristata 
are available for comparison. It is well to mention that among some hundreds of 
the perfect insects of both species, which have been bred by four or five different ento- 
mologists during the last three years, there have occurred no intermediate varieties 
whatever: M.rivata varies indeed in having the gray border of the hind margin of its 
wings sometimes tinged with blue, sometimes with brown, but the white lines always 
preserve their distinctive width, and the under side is always lighter than in M. sub- 
tristata: of M. subtristata the only variety that has been observed was one which, far 
from having the white lines broader thau usual, had the dark bands wider: of course 
worn specimens, which, having lost many of their scales, approach M. rivata in pale- 
ness, are not worthy of notice.”—Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe montanata.— Nearly uniformly cylindrical ; 
rests in a nearly straight position, but tucks the bead in very tightly when disturbed, 
the anterior part of the body then assuming the form of the Ionic volute. Head pale 
brown, with numerous black lines: body pale brown, with a number of variously 
coloured markings ; there is a narrow median stripe transversing all the segments ex- 
cept the Ist and 13th; the median stripe is particoloured ; it is blood-red at the inter- 
stices between each two segments beginning from the 4th, and the blood-red portion 
is always succeeded by a jet-black portion, and the other parts are smoke-coloured ; 
the sides have two approximate, rich brown, rivulet stripes, both edges of which are 
delicately margined with black; these stripes extend from the head to the 13th seg- 
ment ; below these is a paler stripe, and the belly is also pale, but of a different hue ; 
between the median stripe and the two approximate lateral stripes is a pale brown 
broader stripe, interrupted with various black markings: on the back of the 7th, 8th 
and 9th segments is a conspicuous black V-shaped mark, the apex of the V pointing 
towards the tail, and each terminating in one of the blood-red marks already de- 
scribed ; these three Vs are very large, obscuring, on the three segments where they 
occur, the stripes previously described, and below them are five black dots on each side 
of the median stripe. The egg is laid in the autumn, on the leaves of Primula vulgaris 
(primrose), on which this larva hybernates, and is full fed at the end of March : this is 


7256 Insects. 


the only species of the genus that hybernates. Mr. Hellins remarks that this larva is 
always to be distinguished by its having but three perfect. dorsal markings instead of 
four, which is the normal number.—Ldward Newman. 

Description, of the Larva of Melanippe galiata. — Almost uniformly cylindrical ; 
generally rests in a slightly curved position, but when disturbed or irritated, tucks the 
head in very tight, so that it touches the 10th segment, giving the anterior part of the 
body the form of the Tonic volute. Head pale brown, with two broadish dark stripes 
united on the crown but widely separated at the mouth ; the rest of the head is dotted 
with black: body brown, with parallel stripes of different shades extending its 
entire length; the median stripe is almost black, and on each side of it is a paler 
stripe; in each of these paler submedian stripes are four black spots, one each on the 
anterior edge of the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th segments ; again, outside each of these sub- 
median stripes) is a very pale stripe, almost white; then follows a broader, more dif- 
fuse and more irregular double brown stripe, perhaps more precisely described as two, 
brown and closely approximate, rivulet stripes, a very delicate pale stripe passing be- 
tween them; then follows a paler stripe, in which are situated the spiracles ; and, 
finally, the belly is paler, but striped much in the same way as the back. Feeds on 
Galium verum and G. Mollugo (two species of bedstraw), and is double-brooded ; the 
second brood of larve are full fed on the 5th of September. I am indebted to Mr. 
Smithson for the larva of this species. Mr. Buckler has represented an extremely 
beautiful variety, in which the black dots on the back form the nuclei of variegated 
black, red and white markings.—Jld. 

Description of the Larva of Melanippe fluctuata .— Slightly attenuated towards 
each extremity; generally rests in a slightly bent posture. Very variable in colour, 
brown, gray or green: I describe the brown type: head delicately marked transversely 
with dark brown ; median stripe interrupted and of various colours, of which brick-red 
and deep black are the most conspicuous; a small oblong red space surrounded by 
dingy white occupies the middle of the posterior margin of each segment after the 4th, 
and is united to a black spot similarly surrounded on the anterior margin of the suc- 
ceeding segment; the two combined constitute what Mr. Hellins terms the arrow-head 
markings ; the dorsal surface of the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th segments is very pale, 
forming a conspicuous pale patch, and this is continued beyond the posterior margin 
of the 9th segment; each of the segments after the 4th has four distant and distinct 
white dots, arranged in a square; those on the 10th, 11th and 12th segments are sur- 
rounded with small black markings; the sides are pale; the belly is also pale, but has 
darker stripes. Feeds on the several varieties of cultivated Brassica (cabbage), on 
Tropzolum majus (nasturtium) and other garden plants, and is double-brooded, both 
in a state of nature and in captivity ; the second brood of larve is full fed on the 5th 
September.—1d. 

Description of the Larva of Platypteryx falcula.— Does not roll in a ring or feign 
death when disturbed; general figure somewhat onisciform, but pointed at the tail; 
anal claspers represented by two points not used in walking; there are two prominent 
and distant papille or nipple-shaped warts. on the back of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th 
segments; those on the 5th segment smaller and shorter than the others; those on the 
3rd and 4th segments are sesquialterous, that is they have a smaller papilla adjoining 
them on the outer side; the papilla are crowned with a circle of short brown hairs, 
and a larger bristle rises from the centre of each circle; the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 
11th segments have each two minute warts in the place of papille ; each of these also 


Insects. 7257 


emits a bristle: head with the face gray, the crown gray-green, with two transverse 
reddish bars: body pale green, with testaceous or purplish markings on the mottled 
back of the 6th and following segments ; these markings combine in forming a broad 
stripe down the middle of the back,the papilla being of the same colour as and included 
in thestripe. Feeds on Betula alba (birch) ; doubles over the corner of the birch leaf, 
and spins a slight web, in which it changes to a pupa; is double-brooded ; the second 
brood of larve is full-fed on the 28th September. For examples of this and the cuspi- 
date larve which follow I am indebted to Mr. Thomas Huckett, whose zeal and 
industry as a collector of Lepidoptera, and as a student of their habits, has rarely 
been equalled. — Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Dicranura vinula.—Rests with its flat head drawn into 
the 2nd segment, and its anterior segments elevated; the body is quite smooth, the 
dorsal outline rising to a pointed hump on the 4th segment, then falling to the 
6th segment, then of uniform substance to the 9th, and thence the body is rapidly 
attenuated to the 13th, the claspers belonging to which are converted into two horns 
covered with scabrous points, and each emitting, when the larva is irritated, a slender, 
pink, drooping filament; head pale brown in front, black at the sides; the recess into 
which the head is withdrawn is pink, with a large black spot on each side: body with a 
white lateral stripe ascending obliquely from each side of the head to the apex of the 
hump, then descending obliquely to below the spiracle on the 8th segment, then again 
ascending elliptically and terminating at the base of the horn-like claspers; above this 
white stripe the body is whitish, longitudinally striated with purple-brown, the white 
predominating along the median line, the purple-brown predomiuating in the vicinity 
of the lateral white stripe ; below this white stripe the body is yellow-green, with the 
exception of a purple-brown blotch, nearly round, just above the clasper on the 8th 
segment: this blotch is bordered above with white; the legs are yellow-green, with a 
black ring at the base and black tips; the eight normal claspers are green, the two 
horn-like anal ones whitish with black scabrosities. Feeds on several varieties of nar- 
row-leaved Salix (willow) ; is full fed in July ; crawls down the stem of the willow to 
within two, three or four feet of the ground, then gnaws out the bark and spins an 
extremely tough gluey cocoon in the excavation thus made; in this gluey cocoon it 
changes to a pupa, and remains in that state all the winter.—Id. 

Description of the Larva of Stauropus Fagi.—Does not roll in a ring or feign death 
when disturbed ; when at rest throws back its head so as entirely to hide the 2nd, 3rd 
and 4th segments; the head being quite equal in bulk to these three segments if 
united ; the posterior segments are at the same time elevated in an extraordinary 
manner; Ist pair of legs of moderate size, 2nd and 3rd pairs with the femora and 
tibie extremely lengthened; body deeply incised ; 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th 
segments each with two humps; those on the 5th, 6th and 7th largest and of equal 
size, the others gradually decreasing in magnitude; 11th, 12th and 13th segments 
without humps; 11th segment with a small, flattened, dilated, crenulated, lateral margin ; 
12th with a much more extensive margin, having the same characters ; 13th segment 
having the two anal claspers converted into stiff, slightly clavate, slightly curved ap- 
pendages or tails. The colour is testaceous-brown, covered throughout with pale 
points like shagreen ; there are two interrupted, slender, black stripes down the back, 
and a paler median stripe between them; there are moreover several slender black 
markings on both sides of the larva, This singular larva, which is known to collectors 


XVIII. 30 


7258 Insects. 


as “ the lobster,” feeds on oak, and is full fed on the 25th September ; it then spins toge- 
ther two or three oak leaves, and makes a retreat wherein to form its cocoon ; in this it 
changes to a pupa, and when the united leaves fall on the approach of winter, they 
form a kind of parachute, which conveys the pupa gently and safely to the ground, » 
where it remains throughout the winter.— Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Clostera reclusa. — When at rest maintains a straight 
posture, the ventral surface being closely appressed to the leaf or twig of the food- 
plant. Head black: body with a very broad median gray stripe down the back, in 
which stripe is a central, tubercular, velvety spot on the 5th, and another on the 12th 
segment; this stripe also contains yellow transverse markings, which are very distinct 
on the 3rd, 4th and 6th segments: on each side of the gray median stripe is a broad, 
lateral, smoke-coloured stripe; the belly, legs and claspers are also smoke-coloured, 
and between the smoke-colour of the lateral stripe and that of the belly is a narrower 
stripe, composed of black and yellow spots and dots, and including the spiracles: the 
entire body of the larva is slightly hairy. Feeds on Salix caprea (sallow), and 
Populus tremula (aspen), and is double-brooded ; the first brood is full fed on the 5th 
July, the second on the 28th September; then spinning a web amongst the leaves of 
its food-plant, and turning to a pupa in the retreat thus fabricated, it remains in that 
state throughout the winter.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Ptilodontis palpina. — Does not roll itself in a ring or 
feign death when handled. Head rather small: body without hairs or humps, but 
rough with transverse wrinkles. Colour of both head and body glaucous green, with 
six stripes ; two of these are slender, white, tolerably near together, running parallel 
down the back; each of them is composed of minute, raised, white warts; on each 
side of these is a lateral stripe of the same hue, but more slender, less conspicuous and 
less evidently composed of warts ; and below this on each side, just above the spiracles, 
is a most distinct yellow stripe, delicately margined above with intense black ; on the 
2nd and 3rd segments is a little patch of delicate lilac immediately adjoining the yel- - 
low stripe ; the two middle dorsal stripes and the yellow spiracular stripes, together 
with their black margin, extend along the head to the very mouth; but the middle 
stripe on each side does not enter the head. Feeds on several varieties of broad and 
narrow-leaved Salix (willow and sallow), and on more than one species of Populus 
(poplar); is full fed on the 2nd of October ; spins on the surface of the ground, and 
remains in the pupa state all the winter.—Zd. 

Description of the Larva of Notodonta camelina.—Does not roll in a ring or feign 
death when handled ; when at rest it raises both ends. Head of moderate size, greenish ; 
body uniformly cylindrical to the 12th segment, which is rather tumid, and has two 
distinct but approximate warts on its back. The colour is glaucous green, paler on the 
back; the warts are tipped with pink and armed at the tip with a small fascicle of 
short black bristles ; a slender bluish median stripe originates on the back of the 3rd 
segment, and passes in a direct line to between the pink-tipped warts on the 12th 
segment ; the back is particularly inclined to white on each side of this median stripe ; 
on each side of the body is a series of white spots, most of which enclose a black 
‘spiracle, and behind each white spot, and closely adjoining it, is a pink spot; this 
series of spots is connected together by a number of slender white lines, and the whole 
together constitute what might with propriety be called a spiracular stripe. All parts 
of the body emit scattered black bristles, the head and second segment have more 
than the following segments ; the legs and claspers are pinkish ; the belly is distinctly 


Insects. 7259 


green. Feeds on Betula alba (birch), Acer campestris (maple), Quercus Robur (oak), 
&c., is full fed on the 20th of September; it spins a slight cocoon on the surface of 
the earth, and remains in the pupa state all the winter.—Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Notodonta dictea.—Does not roll in a ring or feign 
death when disturbed, rests in nearly a straight posture, as when crawling. Head 
rather large, very slightly notched on the crown, shining, pale green; body almost 
uniformly cylindrical until the 12th segment, which is humped, the hump terminating 
in a moderately sharp point; body whitish or glaucous-green on the back, a broad 
paler green stripe on each side, and adjoining it a narrow raised yellow-green stripe 
just below the spiracles, and touching all of them except that on the 12th segment, it 
extends the entire length of the insect, terminating in the anal clasper; on the summit 
of the 12th or humped segment is a black transverse line. Feeds on Populus nigra 
(black poplar), Salix caprea (sallow), Betula alba (birch), &c.; is full fed on the 22nd 
of September: spins a slight web on the surface of the earth, attaching the upper part 
of the web to a fallen leaf; it remains in the pupa state throughout the winter. 
There is a very common variety of this larva, plain brown without the slightest 
appearance of the lateral stripe: this after the last change of skin.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Notodonta dicteoides.—Does not roll in a ring or 
feign death when disturbed; rests in nearly a straight posture, as when crawling. 
Head rather large, being slightly notched on the crown, brown, shining. Body almost 
uniformly cylindrical until the 12th segmeut, which is humped, the hump terminating 
in a somewhat sharp and very shining papilla; the 13th segment is rugose above; 
back purple-brown, very shining when full fed; on each side is a distinct yellow stripe, 
which includes the spiracles, excepting that on the 12th segment; the spiracles are 
black; the belly is much paler than the back. This larva, when compared with that 
of Notodonta dicteea, may be distinguished by its somewhat more slender proportions, 
by its more glabrous skin, by its uniformly possessing the purple-brown hue, and by 
the greater brightness and distinctness of the lateral stripe. Feeds on Betula alba 
(birch), and is full fed on the 27th of September, when it descends to the ground, 
spinning a slight cucoon between the surface of the earth and a fallen leaf: it remains 
in the pupa state all the winter.—Zd. 

Description of the Larva of Notodonta Dromedarius.—Does not roll up in a ring or 
feign death when disturbed ; rests with both extremities elevated, and its anal claspers, 
which are rather long, porrected, but these can be used in walking when required. 
Head manifestly larger than the 2nd segment, bifid at the crown, the lobes blunt and 
rounded; shining brown, speckled with darker brown, the sides rather paler: body not 
regularly cylindrical, but uneven, humped on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 12th segments; 
the hump on the 8th segment is the least, those on the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th have ob- 
tuse summits directed backwards; that on the 12th segment.is erect. Colour of the 
body yellow-green, with purplish brown markings, which form a conspicuous stripe on 
the back of the 2ud, 3rd and 4th segments, and which crown all the five humps and 
fill the interstices between the 2ad and 3rd, and 3rd and 4th; on the fifth hump this 
purple-brown colour forms a mere line, and there is a similar line on the last or 13th 
segment: a very similar colour occupies nearly the whole of the belly, which is darkest 
on the 10th, 11th and 12th segments. It feeds on Betula alba (birch), and is full fed 
on the 29th of September, when it descends the tree and generally spins a slight 
cocoon on the earth, attaching the upper side of the cocoon to a fallen leaf: in this 
situation it remains in the pupa state all the winter.—Jd. 


7260 Insects. 


Description of the Larva of Notodonta Ziczac.—Does not roll in a ring or feign 
death when disturbed; rests with both ends of the body elevated. Head large; body 
with one hump each on the 6th, 7th and 12th segments, that on the 6th largest and 
pointing backwards. Head brown: body purple-brown, with darker patches on the 
back of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments, also on the front of the dorsal humps: these 
darker patches are bordered with paler margins, there are also paler oblique lines on 
the sides of the segments; 11th and 12th segments yellowish, dorsally marbled with 
brown; there are two pale approximate lines on the back of the 8th, 9th and 10th 
segments. Feeds on several species of Populus (poplar and aspen) and Salix (sallow 
and willow), and is full fed at the end of September, when it spins its slight cocoon on 
the surface of the earth, and remains in the pupa state all the winter.— E. Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Notodonta dodonea.—Does not roll in a ring or feign 
death when disturbed ; rests in nearly a straight posture, the anal claspers being some- 
times, but not always, raised, and I have never observed the head thrown back. Head 
larger than the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments, bluish green, reticulated ; body pale green, 
transversely wrinkled ; two yellowish and very narrow stripes near together down the 
middle of the back; these are composed of yellow dots: two similarly dotted stripes are 
observable outside these, but not extending beyond the 6th segment; on each side of 
the larva, extending from the head to the anal point, is a raised pale stripe, which is 
alternately pink and pale yellow, and which includes the spiracles. Feeds on Quercus 
Robur (oak), and is full fed on the 4th of September, when it spins a slight cocoon on 
the surface of the ground, and changes to a pupa, in which state it remains throughout 
the winter.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Xylophasia lithoxylea.—The larva of Xylophasia 
lithoxylea being marked unknown, I beg to say I have bred the insect this summer 
from a larva found at the roots of grass: it was of large size; colour dirty white, with 
a bluish tinge below; head and tail black, with two rows of black shining spots on 
each segment, one hair in each spot. I found it on the 8th of May; it seemed then 
nearly full fed: the perfect insect appeared on the 8th of July.—John E. Robson ; 
Queen Street, Hartlepool.—‘ Intelligencer.’ 

Description of the Larva and Pupa of Achroia grisella—I met with this species 
about three weeks ago in the apiary of a neighbour. A description of the insect in its 
larva and pupa states may not be uninteresting. Larva about nine lines in length 
when full fed; very active, throwing itself into violent contortions at the slightest 
annoyance; white with a tinge of pink; rather hairy; the head and second segment 
reddish brown; spiracles barely perceptible. Pupa pale brown, enclosed in a white 
cocoon ; usually secreted under the inside ligaments near the entrance of the hive. 
Does Achroia grisella hybernate ? I found my specimens in what were said to be hives 
of the present year, and the perfect inseets arc now making their appearance.— Thomas 
Fyles ; Scotter, Kirton-in-Lindsey, October 3, 1860.—Id. 

Note on the Habits, §c., of Diasemia literalis as observed near Plymouth. — This 
species has occurred near Plymouth this year, at two very distinct periods, viz. in June 
and September, which makes it appear as though the species were double-brooded ; 
but not having visited the place where it appeared in the intermediate months, 
I have no further proof of its double-broodedness than seeing and capturing it at the 
times mentioned. I took about two dozen specimens. “In July,” says Mr. Stainton, 
“ Diasemia literalis makes its appearance: this insect has generally occurred only 
singly, and in dry places, though the idea had long been prevalent that, like the Hy- 


Insects. 7261 


drocampe, it was attached to ponds.” The idea of its being attached to ponds is cer- 
tainly wrong, at least in the imago state ; and I think it can hardly be so in any stage, 
seeing there is no water in the neighbourhood of its habitat. This insect in habits 
rather resembles the Pyraustz, flitting about in short flights during sunshine, and not 
easily approached in shade. The locality for it is a high, sloping down, where the 
furze and fern are the principal occupants of vegetable growth, but there are also the 
usual plants that cover a Devonshire down, heath or moor; some fine clumps of 
Erice are there, and “I know a bank a whereon the wild thyme blows.” I can 
safely advise those who may wish to take the species to look for it in a dry place. — 
J.J. Reading ; Plymouth. 


Vespide in 1860. By S. Stone, Esq., Hon. Member Ashmolean 
Society. 


Ir may with truth be remarked that we have passed through an 
entire year of which neither spring nor summer has formed any portion, 
the weather having been altogether of a wintry character during the 
whole of the past twelve months. Had we been deprived of the 
blessing of sight we should have been completely in the dark as to how 
the year was progressing: we have only been able to ascertain it by 
observing that somehow or other the fields became clothed with ver- 
dure, that the foliage was renewed on hedgerows and trees, that the 
grass grew till it arrived at maturity, in spite of the night frosts which 
made repeated and desperate attempts to cut it down and thus antici- 
pate the mower, that some of it by some means got made into hay, 
that the corn—a portion of it—became ripe and was gathered in, that 
the days grew longer, till the maximum length had been attained, and 
that they then as usual began to shorten. Had we depended solely 
on the temperature for information we should have been sorely per- 
plexed, in fact we should have been wholly unable to decide whether 
we were living in the month of July or January, whether the sun was 
about to enter Aries, or whether it had got into Libra. 

Female wasps, which ordinarily make their appearance early in April, 
and not unfrequently in March, were not observed upon the wing till 
late in May, when a few showed themselves for a day or two, and were 
apparently in search of eligible building sites, the weather just then 
being bright and sunny, but with severe frosts at night. I at once set 
about forming a number of suitable cavities in the locality they fre- 
quented, hoping thereby to obtain, as I had done the year before, a 
variety of nests, but the drenching rains which fell immediately after 
I had completed them, and which continued almost without inter- 
mission for weeks, cut off the expectations I had formed; nota single 


7262 Insects. 


chamber became tenanted, nor were the insects again to be seen near 
the spot, which was in the immediate vicinity of the place in which 
hundreds of young females had the previous autumn been reared. 

Early in July I was rather astonished at seeing a young working 
wasp busily employed in gathering materials for building. This was 
at Cokethorpe Park, a favourite locality for various species of Vespide. 
From this circumstance I knew that one female had succeeded in 
founding a colony. It was not long before I met with other workers, 
at distances so far apart as to make it apparent there must be more 
than one or two nests in the neighbourhood. All doubt upon the 
point was removed on obtaining specimens, which proved to be of four 
different species, viz.: Vespa germanica, V. vulgaris, V. rufa and V. 
sylvestris. It was not until the end of the month that I succeeded in 
discovering a nest which turned out to be one of V. germanica. I did 
not immediately take possession of this nest but made diligent search 
for one of V. vulgaris, my object being to obtain, if possible, one con- 
taining larve of Ripiphorus, a parasite I have never yet found, 
except in nests of that species. In my search I met with one of V. 
rufa, which I immediately dug out, taking it away, but purposely leaving 
a number of the workers behind, carefully replacing the sods I had 
removed over the cavity and making an entrance thereto from without. 
In the course of a few days I found, as I expected would be the case, 
that a fresh nest had been begun by the workers I had left behind, 
and that the work was being briskly proceeded with. 

About the same time a nest, or rather the situation of one, was 
pointed-out to me by the gardener at Cokethorpe Park. It was in a 
wall in the kitchen garden some ten or twelve feet from the ground. 
The stones forming the inner portion of the wall were lying hollow, so 
as to allow of the construction of a nest of small size, such as is that 
of V. sylvestris, of which species this was. Probably the weather 
influenced the parent wasp in her choice of a situation and caused her 
to fix on this novel one. With reference to this species I may remark 
that, with the exception of the one mentioned above, all the nests I 
heve met with have been constructed under ground. Mr. Smith, how- 
ever, considers it to be rather a tree-building species than .an under- 
ground one. In lightness of appearance and elegance of shape the 
nests of this species far surpass those of any other of the British 
Vespide. 

A specimen of V. Crabro was next observed. This insect I suc- 
ceeded in tracing to the nest, which was situated in the head of a 
pollard ash that had been cut down and was lying in the wood-yard 


Insects. 7263 


at Cokethorpe. There did not appear to be more than about twenty 
workers developed at that date. 

I next discovered a second nest of V. rufa, which I dug out, and, 
as before, left a number of the workers behind: these, as in the 
former case, immediately set about the construction of a fresh nest. 

I now succeeded in finding one of V. vulgaris, which I duly took 
possession of. On digging it out I found that the original nest, after 
having attained a considerable size, had succumbed to the incessant 
rains which fell, and had fallen, with the exception of the upper comb, 
to the bottom of the cavity in which it had been built, where it was 
lying, a mass of decomposed and offensive matter. The parent wasp 
would appear either to have perished with it or to have abandoned 
the spot when the catastrophe occurred, as at the time I dug into it, 
she was nowhere to be found, and, moreover, there was unmistakeable 
evidence that she had had no hand in the work, or in directing the 
work, of the nest which had arisen over the ruins of the original one. 
On removing the covering the interior presented an appearance so 
unlike the interior of one over which a queen presides that I at once 
felt convinced no queen had ever set foot in it. No order or regularity 
was observed in the disposition of the combs; small ones, to the 
number of seven, were to be seen stuck about here and there upon the 
face of the original one, from which they depended, while the cells 
were crowded with eggs or small larve, one cell containing as many 
as sixteen eggs, and but few less than five or six. The colony— for 
having chloroformed I secured the whole lot—consisted exclusively of 
workers, and they rather under than over the average size. On reaching 
home I placed the nest, with the insects belonging to it, near the 
window of an empty room, where the larve were fed, and fresh eggs 
continued to be deposited by these workers, but no attempt was made 
to renew the covering or to construct fresh cells. 

I now took out one of the nests of V. rufa that had been formed 
by the workers after the removal of the original one, and in a 
few days afterwards the other. Each contained a single comb, that 
in the former being about an inch and a half in diameter, and 
the latter about an inch. The cells in each contained a profusion 
of eggs as well as larve of various sizes. In many of the cells 
the larve had become full fed and had spun themselves up, in 
which case, as well as where they had attained to anything like their 
full size, they occupied each a separate cell, while each of the remaining 
cells contained either a group of eggs or a number of larve. Both 
these colonies consisted of workers of the ordinary size, the whole of 


7264 Insects. 


which I secured, and in both instances fresh eggs continued to be 
deposited by them after the nests had come into my possession and 
had been placed in a favourable situation for work. 

In order to ascertain what proportion of the workers in each of these 
three nests—the two of V. rufa and the one of V. vulgaris—possessed 
the power of producing eggs, I chloroformed the whole number so 
effectually as to cause them to 


“ Sleep the sleep that knows no waking,” 


and then made a post-mortem examination of the bodies, the result of 
which was that in each case one in every five or six was found to con- 
tain a mass of eggs, some ready for extrusion, others in a less advanced 
state. I have a number of these eggs preserved in spirits, and have 
also preserved the insects from whose bodies they were extracted. 
These I will place in the hands of Mr. F. Smith, of the British Museum, 
who, I doubt not, will kindly take charge of them, and allow any Hy- 
menopterist to examine them who may wish to do so, in order that 
they may satisfy themselves that the specimens are those of common 
working wasps and nothing more. 

I now made an attempt upon the nest of V. germanica, but owing 
to the hollowness of the ground the attempt was an unsuccessful one. 
I therefore put in an extra dose and left it until the following evening, 
when I found the whole of the insects dead. I took the nest home, 
but did not remove the covering for several days: when I did so I 
found the cells crowded with eggs or larve, just as I had previously 
observed to be the case in the nest of V. vulgaris: there was, however, 
nothing unusual in the shape or disposition of the combs, nothing in 
the appearance of the nest beyond the circumstance I have just men- 
tioned, to indicate that it was not one governed by a queen. The 
lower comb consisted of cells of large size, evidently intended for the 
reception of female-producing eggs. No queen was found in the nest, 
but Lam unable to say whether she might or might not have fallen 
out of it on its removal. I could obtain no satisfactory results from 
an examination of the bodies of the workers in consequence of the 
decomposed state in which they had become. 

On the 7th of September I stormed and took the nest I had previously 
discovered of V. Crabro, securing the whole colony, which consisted of 
about a hundred individuals, alive. The means employed m the cap- 
ture of these insects, and with them a specimen of Velleius dilatatus 
have already been made known to entomologists, a detailed account 
having been published in the ‘Intelligencer.’ The nest with its inmates 


Lnsects. 7265 


was placed in a glazed box and removed to a room near where I reside, 
a distance of about two miles from the place of capture, and there the 
work of building, &c., was resumed, and has since been steadily carried 
-on. The covering of this nest is not one which completely encloses 
the combs, like those formed by the other species of social Vespide, 
but merely one that resembles an inverted basin or bowl placed over 
them, and which reaches to about an inch below the lower one, the 
necessary additions being made to it on the construction of every fresh 
comb to bring it to about the point I have stated, beyond which it is 
not allowed to extend, for if one set of workers should, as sometimes 
happens, venture to make such additions to it as to bring it beyond 
that point, another set may be observed busying themselves in the 
work of demolition. 

They work with great steadiness throughout the night by the light 
of a candle—rushlight rather—with which I supply them, and it struck 
me as being remarkable that when this artificial light was introduced 
to them, or they to it, for the first time, it did not cause the least dis- 
turbance among them, but that they at once began to work by it just 
as though it had been the light of day. Another thing remarkable is, 
that while the nest was in its original situation a number of the workers 
might be seen going out and coming in, all night, by the light of the 
‘moon, or even by that of the stars when the sky was clear, but since 
‘its removal to the situation it now occupies, not a single individual has 
ever ventured out after nightfall, whether the moon has been shining 
brightly or not. This may perhaps in part, but cannot I think be 
wholly accounted for, from the fact that they can now procure building 
material, as well as food, without leaving the box in which they reside, 
a constant supply of both being kept immediately under and around 
the nest. 

In conclusion I may remark that the nests I have enumerated were 
obtained within a very limited space. No two were situated half a 
mile apart, and all except one were found within two or three hundred 
yards of each other. I know, from repeatedly observing bodies of 
‘workers apparently catering for the undeveloped young, that two others, 
one of V. rufa, and one of V. sylvestris, might have been found in the 
immediate vicinity, but time did not permit me to make search for 
them, and I have no doubt that if other parts of the park had been as 
thoroughly examined as the limited portion to which my attention was 
directed, many others might have been obtained. That there has been 
a comparative scarcity of the Vespide is unquestionable, still I think, 
if diligent and persevering search had been made, a sprinkling of nests 

XVITE. 3 P 


7266 Insects. 


over all parts of the country would have been found, since it is unlikely 
this locality should, in reality, be a more favourable one than others. 
Here no one beside myself, except in the case of V. sylvestris, has 
discovered a nest, but all have declared that they “have not seen a 
a single wasp this year.” I should doubtless have been unsuccessful, 
but that I had resolved upon procuring nests if they were to be found, 
and both eye and ear, and time and attention, were forthwith wholly 
engaged in the search. The result goes to prove that, however adverse 
a season may be, a number of the Vespide sufficient to preserve the 
race, and prevent its extinction, will be sure to be enabled to struggle 
through it. S. STONE. 
October, 1860. 


Capture of Haltica Atrope in Britain.— I beg to send you some specimens of a 
Haltica new to Britain, the Haltica Crepidodera Atrope ; it was first taken by my 
friend Mr. John Gray, on the deadly nightshade (Atropa Belladonna): Mr. Wollas- 
ton and I subsequently joined Mr. Gray in a second visit to the locality, and we took 
two or three hundred amongst us. Dr. Power had previously taken the same species 
near Reigate, and had the specimens undetermined in his boxes: I had also taken 
some specimens some years ago near Northampton. — Hamlet Clark ; October 8. 

Occurrence of Bagous nodulosus in Hammersmith Marshes. — 1 beg to send youa 
notice of the capture of a new British Bagous. I should have recorded it before, but 
have been waiting to hear from Mr. Walton. Mr. Waterhouse has kindly gone over 
the few British species of the genus with (and after) me, and unites with me unhesi- 
tatingly as to the correctness of my opinion on the point. On the 19th of August last 
I captured at Hammersmith marshes a solitary example of this species, which is cer- 
tainly not included in the national collection, or in any other I have had an opportu- 
of examining. It is the Bagous nodulosus of Schonherr, and must be placed between 
B. binodulus and B. limosus in our lists. At first sight it resembles the first of these 
two species, but it is rather broader and not so long. The chief points of difference 
being that in B. nodulosus the thorax, which wants the constricted hinder margin of 
B. binodulus, has the dorsal furrow scarcely perceptible, whereas in the latter species 
it is very distinct. The elytra also in B. nodulosus are much more evenly and deeply 
sulcated, the interstices being elevated and roughly granulated instead of merely punc- 
tured, whilst the second from the suture is without any posterior nodule, so that B. 
binodulus has, on each elytron, four knobs, and B. nodulosus only two. It appears 
from Schonherr to be an inhabitant of Germany.—Z. C. Rye ; 284, King’s Road, 
Chelsea, S.W., October 18, 1860. 

Correction of an Error.—TI find I have described the species of Hallomenus as 
“ fuscus” (‘ Intelligencer,’ vol. viii. p. 179); this ought to be “ humeralis,” and is the. 
species described by Mr. Janson in the ‘ Annual’ for 1859, p. 142. In quoting the 
record of its capture into the ‘ Zoologist’ it is said I took it “near Lee.” It was not 
taken there.—John Scott ; 18, Torrington Villas, Lee, S.E., October 4, 1860. 

[Mr. Douglas informs me he took this insect at Charlton.—£. Newman. | 


Entomological Society. 7267 


Proceedings of Societies. 
ENnromococticaL Society. 
October 1, 1860.—H. T. Stratnron, Esq., V.P., in the chair. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented 
to the donors:—‘ The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England,’ 
vol. xxi. Part 1; presented by the Society. ‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society,’ 
vol. x. No. 40; by the Society. ‘ Mémoires de l’Académie Imperiale des Sciences, 
Belles-Lettres et Arts de Lyon,’ Classe des Sciences, Tomes viii and ix.; Classe des 
Lettres, Tome vii.; by the Academy. ‘Annales des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles 
d’ Agriculture et d’Industrie de Lyon, Tomes ii. and iii.; by the Society. ‘ Exotic 
Butterflies, Part 36; by W. W. Saunders, Esq. ‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ 
for September; by the Society. ‘The Zvologist’ for September; by the Editor. 


Election of a Member. 


M. Deyrolle, of Rue Rivoli, Paris, was balluted for, and elected a member of the 
Society. 

Exhibitions. 

Mr. Janson exhibited specimens of Epitrix Atrope, Maerkel, Foudras (Crepi- 
dodera Atrope, Allard), taken on Atropa Belladonna, near Arundel, by Mr. Wollaston 
and the Rev. Hamlet Clark, on the 8th ultimo. He remarked that several examples 
of this species, new to the British list, had been found a few days previously in the 
same locality by Mr. John Gray, and he had this morning heard from Mr. S. Stevens 
that specimens, reported at the time as the E. pubescens of Panzer, were taken by Mr. 
H. Francis near Reigate, on the 22nd of June last. He also remarked that this 
‘insect, considered by the older entomologists as a mere variety of E. pubescens, and 
beautifully figured as such as far back as 1803, by Sturm in the ‘ Entomologische 
Hefte,’ was first signalised as a distinct species by Herr Maerkel, and that the late 
M. Foudras of Lyons had described it in his extraordinary work ‘ Altisides de France, 
and pointed out the differences between it and its near allies Epitrix pubescens, Panz. 
and E, intermedia, Foudras ; and further that the genus Epitrix is not accepted by 
by M. Allard, in his ‘ Essai Monographique sur les Galerucites Anisopodes, Latr., ou 
Description des Altises d’Europe et des bords de la mer Méditerranée,’ of which the 
first portion has recently appeared in the ‘Annales de la Société Entomologique de 
France,’ who places the E. pubescens and E. Atrope at the end of the genus Crepidodera, 
remarking with respect to the latter that “elle n’est peutétre q’une variété de la pubes- 
cens ;” but the form of the edeagus, described by M. Foudras, is so dissimilar in the 
two insects, and, setting aside size and colour, the difference in the form and sculpture 
of the prothorax, although in creatures thus minute scarcely perceptible to the unas- 
sisted eye, is so apparent under a lens, that he entertained no doubt whatever as to the 
propriety of considering them good and distinct species. 

Mr. Janson also laid before the meeting a box, handed to him for that purpose by 
Mr. Baly, containing examples of closely allied species of Donacia, Chrysomela and 
Paropsis: by the side of each specimen, mounted on card, were placed the generative 
organs extracted from it. He called particular attention to these organs as exhibiting 
striking differences in species so closely resembling each other as to be readily taken 


7268 Entomological Society. 


for mere varieties, and to the perfect condition of the insects which had been submitted 
to this operation, showing that with a little practice and care the most valuable insects 
may be thus treated without injury. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited two examples of Diachromus germanus, taken at Hastings 
a few years ago; and a specimen of Coptodera massiliensis, found alive in the street at 
Hastings many years since by Mr. Rankings. 

Mr. Waterhouse considered this latter insect had most probably been imported 
amongst foreign plants. 

Mr. Stevens also exhibited a small collection of insects of various orders made by Mr. 
Oxley in New Zealand ; and a large box of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera from the vicinity 
of the Cape of Good Hope, sent home by Mr. Trimen; also fine specimens of Goliathus 
Derbyanus, from the interior of Africa, likewise forwarded to this country by Mr. 
Trimen. 

Mr. Westwood exhibited a box of exotic Lepidoptera, recently obtained in Paris, 
containing many rare and interesting species, especially several collected by M. Lorquin 
in the Philippine Islands, including Papilio Dedalus, Zethera Pimplea (of which the 
male only had been hitherto known—figured by Erichson—the female now exhibited 
being totally unlike the male), Debis Lorquinii, a species belonging to the family 
Satyridz, but having the wings of the male of a resplendent blue colour; also Morpho 
Aurora, Westw. (a lovely species of great rarity), several brilliant Erycinide, a fine 
new Paphia from Columbia, and a remarkable Adolias from the Philippine Islands ; 
likewise specimens of both sexes of Saturnia Cynthia and S. Ricini, reared at Paris, 
as well as specimens of both sexes of a hybrid variety reared between the two last 
mentioned species. Unfortunately, owing to the absence of M. Guérin Méneville 
from Paris durmg Mr. Westwood’s visit, he had not been able to obtain any detailed 
account of the circumstances under which these hybrids had been produced, nor had 
he learned whether they were prolific. M. Guérin himself had given in the ‘ Annales 
de la Sociéte Entomologique de France,’ 1859 (Proc. p. xlvi.), some account of these 
hybrids showing their peculiar tendency both in structure and habits to one or other 
of their parents. On the occasion when this account was given to the French Society, 
M. Aube suggested the probability that the two supposed parent species were not 
specifically distinct, but were, on the contrary, only races due to domesticity, an opinion 
which Mr, Westwood was induced to adopt, although the circumstances connected with 
the two supposed species as regarded their food-plants, relative capability of enduring 
cold, time of pupation, &c., if applied to great numbers of the Micro-Lepidoptera 
would be regarded by most modern Lepidopterists as decided evidence of distinctness of 
species. Even supposing these hybrids are not fertile (upon which, however, Mr. West- 
wood had no information) the fact of the facility with which the species had been 
crossed seemed to him to show that the pareuts were more nearly related than if they 
were really distinct species. 

Mr. Lubbock wished Mr. Westwood would confirm by actual experiments his 
repeatedly expressed opinion that very many of the so-called species, both of Macro- 
and Micro-Lepidoptera, were mere modifications produced; by diversity of food, 
locality, &e. 

Mr. Stainton observed that the hybrid Saturnie exhibited by Mr. Westwood were 
larger and finer insects than either 8. Ricini or 8S. Cynthia; he thought such would 
hardly be the case if they were mere local varieties of one species. 


Entomological Society. 7269 


Mr. Syme exhibited a female specimen of Sphinx Convolvuli, which had emerged 
from the pupa ov the 15th ult. It had been produced from a larva found in a potato 
field at Deal in the autumn of last year, and had remained nearly a year in the pupa 
State; the eggs contained in the abdumen were, however, extremely small. 

Mr. Smith exhibited a specimen of a Danish humble-bee (Bombus equestris) caught 
by Mr. J. Stevens on board a steamer at sea, midway between Hamburg and Lowes- 
toft, and consequently about two hundred miles from land. 

Mr. Smith also exhibited two parasites found on Anobium paniceum, received from 
Dr. Power. The insects, which were a species of Pieromalus, had been found by that 
gentleman on the Anobia, bred in a preparation of a human arm which had been 
laid aside for some time. 

Mr. Janson observed that he had frequently met with Anobium paniceum asso- 
ciated with a minute Hymenopterous parasite closely resembling, he would not say 
identical with that exhibited by Mr. Smith, in druggists’ shops, amongst pearl barley 
and coriander seed. 

Mr. Stainton exhibited, on behalf of the Rev. Mr. Hellius, drawings of the larve of 
the nine British species of the genus Melanippe, admirably executed by Mr. W. Buckler. 
The larve delineated had in all instances been bred from the eggs, and were repre- 
sented both of the natural size and magnified. 

Mr. Bond exhibited some Lepidoptera from the Isle of Wight, including a fine 
example of Leucania vitellina, and the female of Agrotis cinerea, both captured by 
Mr. Rogers; and a beautiful series of Heliophobus hispida taken by himself. 

Mr. Stevens communicated some extracts from a letter received by him from 
Mr. R. Trimen, on the Entomology of the Cape of Good Hope. 

Mr. Janson said that he was desirous of coutradicting a report in circulation rela- 
tive to Donacia Comari, exhibited by him at the previous meeting as a species hitherto 
unrecorded as British, to the effect that it is described by the late Mr. Stephens under 
the name of Donacia Proteus, and had therefore been long known as indigenous. He 
stated that the facts are simply as follows. First, Stephens’ Latin diagnosis of D. 
Proteus is copied verbatim from Kunze; his description is an abridged translation from 
the same author. Secondly, I). Proteus of Kunze is identical with D. sericea of Lin- 
neus, and has been cited on all hands for the past twenty years as a synonym of that 
species. Thirdly, D. sericea of Linneus and D. Comari of Ahrens and Suffrian 
(D. sericea, Ahrens olim nec Linn.) being a distinct species it is obvious that Stephens’ 
description cannot refer to D. Comari. Moreover the “ prominent anterior angles of 
the thorax ” of Stephens’ description of D. Proteus apply incontestably to D. sericea 
of Linneus and not to D. Comari, which has those angles obtuse and deflexed. 


Supposed new Species of Nonagria. 


Dr. Knaggs exhibited some specimens of an undescribed species of Nonagria? 
taken at Folkestone, and read the following remarks and description :-— 

“It may be recollected that specimens of Nonagria concolor were taken for the 
first time in this country at Whittlesea Mere, in the year 1849, and for the last time, 
in the same locality, in 1850. The spot was afterwards destroyed by fire, and subse- 
quently cultivated, since which the insect has been seen no more. Its time of appear- 
ance was Juue, and it came to‘ sugar.’ In 1859, at Folkestone, I captured specimens 
of a Nonagria which bore considerable resemblance to this species, and which was 
returned by M. Guenée as N. concolor. Through the kindness of my friends Messrs. 


7270 Entomological Society. 


Doubleday and Bond, who have lent me specimens of the true N. concolor for com- 
parison, I am enabled to give the following characteristics, which I think justify the 
acceptance of my specimens as a species totally distinct from Nonagria concolor, and 
new to Science. In the following remarks I shall designate my specimens Nonagria 
Bondii. 

“‘ Tn addition to the larger size of Nonagria Bondii, and the difference in colour, 
the fore wings being constantly paler, the hind wings darker in N. Bondii than in N. 
concolor, there are other distinguishing characters. In shape N. concvlor approaches 
that of a Glea, N. Bondii that of a Noctua ; for instance, the costa of the fore wings 
in N. concolor presents from the base to the middle a convex curve, and for the rest 
is straight, or if anything even slightly concave ; while in N. Bondii there is a gradual 
convex curve from base to apex ; if there is any straightness or approach to concavity 
it is on the basal side of the middle of the costa. Again, the hind margin of the fore 
wings is considerably more angulated in N. concolor than in N. Bondii; in the latter 
the curve is much less abrupt, gradual, and in some cases inappreciable. The costa 
and inner margin are also more parallel in N. concolor, and there is consequently less 
breadth of the fore wings from the costa to the anal angle; and the breadth at the 
insertion seems also greater in proportion in N. concolor than in N. Bondii. The 
hind wings are much more oval in N. Bondii, and are devoid of a concave notch a little 
below the costa which is constant in N. concolor. The general appearance of 
N. Bondii is much more slender than that of N. concolor, especially as regards the 
proportionate size of the thorax. The antenne are much longer, legs darker, larger 
and much less hairy in N. Bondii than in N. concolor, indeed in the former the legs 
are comparatively almost naked. With respect to markings, there is a constant dotted 
line more or less distinct at the insertion of the cilia in the fore wings of N. concolor, 
totally wanting in N. Bondii. There is on the other hand a constant shade in the 
centre of the hind wings in N. Bondii, absent in N. concolor; and while the under 
surface of the fore wings is dark sooty gray in N. Bondii, it is pale brownish gray in 
N. concolor; this, too, applies to a certain extent to the under side of the hind wings, 
in which however other differences are visible. The palpi of N. concolor are larger, 
stouter and much more thickly clothed with scales than in N. Bondii, although the 
latter is the larger insect, and the palpal scales show considerable difference re- 
spectively under the microscope. The down from the tippet is very diagnostic under 
the microscope in N. concolor; each scale at its free end is notched with four or five 
deep serrations, while in N. Bondii these serrations are either entirely wanting or there 
are two very slight lateral serrations. Scales, from corresponding points in the wings 
of the respective species, present considerabie differences, but owing to the difficulty of 
cbtaining them all of the same size their comparison is not so satisfactory as I could 
wish. 

“The above microscopic observations were made from insects of the same sex, 
namely, females; and when to these it is added that N. concolor used to appear from 
the beginning to the middle of June, mine from the end of June to the end of July ; 
that N. concolor is a fen insect, mine a coast insect; that N. concolor used to ‘ come 
to sugar, whereas I never knew N. Bondii to do so until the second flight (about 
11.30 p.m.), I think that [ have some reason in bringing this forward as a distinct 
species ; and as it is on all sides admitted that if not N. concolor it is new to Science, 
I beg to maintain the latter, and propose for my insect the name of 


Entomological Society. 7271 


Nonacria ? Bonvit. 


Alis anticis amplioribus, ovato-triangularibus concoloribus osseo-albis, serie punc- 
torum semicirculari inter marginem posteriorem mediumque ducta, subtus 
tenebrosis ; alis posticis ovatis fumeo-cinereis umbra centrali tinctis ; fimbriis 
candidis; thorace et abdomine tenuibus ; antennis longioribus. 

Exp. al. | in. 2 lin. ad 1 in. 33 lin.” 


Ravages of Hylobius Abietis. 


Mr. Janson communicated the following extracts from a letter which he had 
addressed to Mr. Walter Elliott, of Wolfelee, Hawick, N.B., in reply to his request 
for information relative to the economy of Hylobius Abietis, and the plans best 
adapted to arrest the ravages of this beetle :— 


** London, Sept. 18, 1860. 


“ My dear Sir,—Your favour, accompanied by specimens of Hylobius Abietis and 
twigs of larch from which they had gnawn the bark, reached me in due course on the 
3rd. The interesting remarks on the ravages of the beetle, and the specimens, were 
communicated to the Society at its meeting on the same evening, and an account will 
appear in the ‘ Proceedings.’ 

“ Having ransacked such foreign works as I possess which treat on insects inju- 
rious to foresters, for information respecting the Hylobius, the following memoranda 
will perhaps prove not altogether unacceptable. 

“ This beetle appears to attack indiscrimately all the species of fir cultivated in 
Germany, preferring however, according to Ratzeburg, Pinus sylvaticus and P. abies, 
In countries where firs are not grown this insect seems to be unknown. ' 

“Tt is the perfect insect alone which is directly injurious. It gnaws the young 
shoots, causing them to wither. The extremities of a tree thus attacked (the most 
vigorous and healthy trees are invariably selected by the beetle) several years in suc- 
cession, sickness and death inevitably ensue; in dry seasons especially, the mischief 
this beetle occasions in fir woods where it abuunds, is almost incredible. 

“The perfect beetles emerge from May to October, and copulation takes place 
from the period first named to about the end of June, but is rarely witnessed later in 
the year: the beetles which make their appearance after this time hybernate, and do 
not copulate until the ensuing spring. The female deposits her eggs, and the larve 
subsist, either in the stems of sickly or dead, standing or felled trees, or in the stumps 
and roots of those which have been felled remaining in the ground, and are therefore 
scarcely to be considered as directly injurious. Hence it will be obvious that by grub- 
bing up all stumps, and keeping the plantations cleared of all sickly and dead trees, 
an important step will be made towards reducing the numbers of the beetles. All 
timber should be barked as soon after it is felled as practicable, as the females lay 
their eggs in the bark only. All dead branches likewise should be lopped off close to 
the stem. 

“ Ratzeburg mentions several plans adopted in Germany for entrapping the 
beetles: of these the most successful appear to be— 
| “1, Pits and trenches with perpendicular sides, dug at frequent intervals round 
the plantations and along the sides of the paths or road-ways, into which the beetles 
fall or fly, and from which, being unable to escape, they are to be taken and destroyed. 


7272 Entomological Society. 


“2. Bunches of young fir boughs laid about the plantations or in the pits. These 
are to be shaken daily over cloths, and the beetles collected and destroyed. As soon 
as the boughs commence to dry they prove unattractive, and must be replaced by 
fresh ones. Ratzeburg informs us that 2500 beetles have been taken daily from i100 
of these bunches or bundles. 

“© 3. Strips of fresh fir bark strewn about the plantations with the inner surface 
downwards allure the beetles in great numbers ; on lifting these the insects are found 
congregated upon and beneath them.—I remain, &c., 


“ EpwarpD W. JANSON. 
“To W. Elliott, Esq.” 


Notes on the Habits of a Species of Mantis found at the Cape of Good Hope. 


Mr. Smith read the following communication from Mr. Trimen :— 

“A Mantis taken on May 13th has, during the two months just elapsed, con- 
structed four nests of eggs, at intervals of about a fortnight. I had the pleasure of 
seeing her construct one of these, and was rather surprised at her method of pro- 
ceeding. I used to fancy that the eggs were arranged first, and the structure coated 
over with cement afterwards ; but I found this to be a great mistake. The insect is 
grass-green, mandibles scarlet, fore tibie and tarsi yellow, and band along the abdo- 
men crimson and white. The nest is constructed all in a mass, that is to say, the eggs 
‘as they emerge are completely imbedded in a frothy cement so as to be invisible. The 
emission of the mingled eggs and cement is incessant, and the structure is shaped as 
it proceeds by the extremity of the abdomen and a sharp trowel-like organ which pro- 
trudes from within the abdomen, while the two external filamentous anal appendages 
are constantly moving over the surface as if to smooth it. The peculiar projection at 
one end of the nest is the finishing point, and the insect, as if aware that it would drop 
off if left immediately after formation, sustains the little horn-like process between its 
anal plates for some minutes, until sufficiently solidified to sustain itself in position, 
“I cannot imagine the use of this curious projection, unless it is to frighten marauding 
insects or other enemies from devouring the eggs. The eggs, when the cement has 
‘dried, give the nest a ribbed appearance: the structure is remarkably firm and hard 
‘when dry. The four nests are as nearly as possible of the same size, and of precisely 
similar shape. The manner of devouring the house-flies I feed my Mantide with is 
peculiarly remorseless and sanguinary. Once having seized its prey, with a sudden, 
embracing stroke of one or both of its powerful fore legs, the Mantis conveys it 
to its mouth, and immediately commences to devour it. There is no preparatory 
‘wounding or stupefying of the unfortunate victim; the devourer eats regularly down, 
generally commencing at the eyes, the unfortunate fly struggling to the last bit of 
muscle he has left; the fly's legs are always devoured, his wings but rarely. The | 
Mantis when hungry would catch and eat portions of ‘ bluebottles, but generally 
dropped it balf-devoured, and always if I introduced an ordinary fly. One very large | 
Musca vomitoria that the Mantis attacked, after she had just finished a nest, actually 
dragged the Mantis round the box, she devouring the back of its thorax all the time ! 
These remarks may probably have nothing but their accuracy to recommend them,’— | 
ELS. 


; Quadrupeds— Birds. 7273 


Curious Preservation of Human Eyes.—In the autumn of 1858 I chanced to be in 
the company of a stranger who had recently returned from South America, and [ was 
shown one of a traveller’s curiosities, with a request that I would say what I thought 
it was. In character it was not much unlike a fossil onion. Concentric zones of 
various Shades of colour from pink to blue surrounded a luminous centre, bright as the 
brightest amber, and of like intensity. My first question naturally was, “Is it ani- 
mal, vegetable, or mineral?” “ Animal,” was the reply. Now had it been vegetable 
or mineral I should not have been so much surprised. It looked like some amber 
ornament, and might have been polished and set asa brooch! “ It is animal, it is an 
eye—a human eye. I have ninety of them.” As I held it in my fingers, the pupil 
seemed to glare at me, so bright was it; the uvea, ciliary body and ora serrata, all 
were distinctly and detinitely traced on one globe,—nay, even the radiated lines on the 
iris were noticeable. I asked for an explanation, and elicited the following: —* It is 
from an Indian cemetery near Arica, in Peru. The cemetery lies in a vale strongly im- 
pregnated with saltpetre, which seems to have acted on the humours of the eye, and 
given them fixedness and intensity. From some cause or other the burial-place has 
been long deserted by the Indians for one higher up the valley, and the bodies, being 
interred near the surface of the ground, have become exposed to view. I visited the 
cemetery at sunset, and noticed the peculiar glass-like appearance of the eyes. Some 
I removed from their sockets, and found them as hard as amber to the touch. 
Curiosity led me after to the spot, till I had collected quite a stock of eyes.” But, I 
remarked, “ May not the Indians, during some process of embalming, have substituted 
glass eyes in the place of the natural eyes?” “No,” replied the stranger, “as I have 
them with the tendons and ligaments attached, and in some cases I had difficulty in 
extracting them from the skull.” Such is the story, nearly in the words of the tra- 
veller, and I place it at your disposal, as you may probably wish to give it publicity. 
—Peter Inchbald ; Storthes Hall, near Huddersfield, October 28, 1860. 


Rabbit apparently fascinated by a Stoat.—As I was walking on the hill-side above 
West Creech, Farm, in Penbeck (the down was scattered with very low furze bushes), 
my attention was arrested by a cry of distress; it proceeded from a rabbit which was 
cantering round in a ring, with a halting gait. I watched it for some minutes, but as 
the circle became smaller and the rabbit more agitated I perceived a stoat turning 
its head with the rabbit’s motion, and fixing its gaze upon it. I struck a blow at the 
stoat and missed it; its attention was thus withdrawn, and the rabbit ran away with 
great vigour in a straight direction.—Henry Bond ; Vicarage, South Petherton, 
Somerset, August 14, 1860. 


Hedgesparrow fascinated by a Snake. — Up the hill above Tyneham, towads the 
sea, I was struck by the shrill cry and fluttering agitation of a common hedgespar- 
row, in a whitethorn bush. Regardless of my presence, its remarkable motions were 
continued, getting, at every hop from bough to bough, lower and lower down in the 
bush. Drawing ‘nearer I saw a common snake coiled up, but having its head erect, 
watching the sparrow ; the moment the snake saw me it glided away, and the sparrow 
flew off with its usual mode of flight.—Henry Bond; Vicarage, South Petherton, 
Somerset, August 14, 1860. 


XVIII. 3Q 


T2TA. Birds, &c. 


A Tom Tit in Difficulties.—Last evening, as I and a friend were on our way to 
Dulwich Wood, on entomological thoughts intent, we saw at a gas-lamp — not a 
moth—but a blue tit (Parus ceruleus), hanging back downwards in the space left un- 
glazed at the bottom. In our humane endeavours to rescue it from its dangerous 
position we only frightened it completely into the lamp, where it kept flying into and 
resting above the flame, till at last it managed to get out where it got in, no doubt 
considerably singed, if not burnt. What can have induced this bird to fly to a gas- 
lamp at that time of night? It could hardly have chased a moth there, as I fancy it 
is of strictly diurnal habits, and it could scarcely have selected the spot for a roosting- 
place before the lamp was lighted, as it would certainly have been scared by the lamp- 
lighter. I fancy that, having been at roost near the lamp, the attraction of the light 
had proved too much for it.— Robert McLachlan ; Forest Hill, October 20, 1860. 

Occurrence of the Little Bittern near Taunton.—On the 20th of August last a spe- 
cimen of the little bittern was shot as it rose from a bed of rushes on the river Tone, 
about half a mile below this town. It is now preserved, and in the possession of Mr. 
Haddon, the person who shot it.— W. F. Dewey; East Reach, Taunton, October 
15, 1860. 

Oceurrence of the Surf Scoter near Scarborough.—I have great pleasure in 
informing you that a fine mature specimen of that extremely rare duck, the surf 
scoter (Anas perspicillata), was shot by myself, on Monday, the 25th of October, on the 
rocks at Gristhorp, near Scarborough : it was swimming with another duck of its own 
size and colour, and, in all probability, of the same species.— Alwin S. Bell; 
11, Crown Terrace, Scarborough, November 2, 1860. 

Prognostication of an Early and Severe Winter.—Quantities of wild fowl have 
already been seen off our coast, besides many other indications of an early and severe 
winter.—Id. 


Natural-History Notes from Bengal. By E. A. W. Tay er, Esq. 


THE following extracts from the letters of my friend Edward A. 
‘Wood Tayler, Esq., of Bamundie, Bengal, who is a most accurate 
observer of nature and a keen sportsman, will be interesting to your 
readers, as they contain truthful remarks on the habits of certain birds 
and animals. 


R. H. T. GILBERT. 


Kensington. —— 


“ Bamundie, near Kishnaghur, Bengal. 


“‘T am in perfect health, and India seems the very place for me, but 
remember that I never touch a drop of anything but water, and whilst 
other fellows are obliged to lie down to get rid of the effects of the 
beer, &c., imbibed, at tiffin, I take my gun and go cruising about 
under the mango tops. About here there is not much jungle, and yet 
now and then you fall in with a leopard, but it is no end of a place for 
birds, and I never before saw such beauties as one sees from day to day 


Natural-History Notes from Bengal. 7275 


flying about everywhere. I enclose some feathers, but they are nothing 
to some that I mean to send you. Ducks, geese and suipes swarm in 
countless hundreds. I have also shot eight different kinds of kites 
and hawks, and some very large horned owls, also some very small 
ditto. I shot one day three beautiful fish-eagles. Old Forsyth* shoots 
better than ever since it has been rebored forme. A jackall, which is 
a most tough brute, I rap over as dead as a nail at forty yards. I wish 
I could give you a view of my room, hung all around with skulls of 
birds and animals, feathers and claws, and lots of other natural-history 
objects so dear to your eyes. I have lots of eggs, but I have had great 
difficulty in procuring them. A friend sent me two eggs of the alli- 
gator. I stayed a day with my friend Mr. S., who is a great shot and 
sportsman; of course we went out shooting, and although it was 
September, the worst month in the year, yet we managed to bag lots 
of green pigeons (capital eating are these fellows I can tell you), black 
and white curlews as they are called here, but one of these is the ibis 
{ think; however, when you get the skins I intend sending you, you 
will be able to make out all these gentlemen. We also shot ducks, 
snipes, plovers, black partridges and quails. It is capital sport, as you 
never know what you may come in with in your walk. — I also rolled 
over a fine tiger cat and two very small foxes ; these latter were beau- 
tiful little creatures. I have killed lots of a bird here called goiles or 
snake-birds, because when swimming they sink so low in the water as 
only to show the head and neck: their feathers are very beautiful, 
and make splendid plumes when mixed with the crest-feathers of the 
padi-bird, a kind of egret I think, that is found in immense numbers 
all over the rice fields, whence its name. It is indeed a beautiful sight 
to see a flock of these birds; their snowy plumage becomes a most 
dazzling white under the fierce and brilliant light of the eastern sun, 
the dark green of the landscape and the coppery sky forming one of 
those pictures of Nature that only the true naturalist can thoroughly 
appreciate. 

“The kingfishers out here are very brilliant, and beat every bird as 
far as plumage goes ; they look like gems as they fly over the water. 
In habits and flight, as far as I have seen, ri are similar to our own 
le friend in old England. | 

“YT have had a tame mongoose given me; he will run after me 
like a dog; he hates blackies but loves snakes. Three days ago I saw 
a cobra in a hole of the garden wall, and after some little trouble I got 


* His double gun is by the celebrated maker Forsyth. 


7276 Natural-History Notes from Bengal. 


him out and brought him in an earthen pot, called a gumla, in front 
of the house; I then called my friend ‘ Boots’ (the mongoose), and it 
was very interesting to see the snake with his hood expanded standing 
erect on his tail watching the movements of ‘ Boots,’ who took it rather 
easily for some time, but he knew what he was about, and when he 
did spring the snake was as dead as a stone, for ‘ Boots’ had fixed 
him by the back of the neck, quite close to the head. It is wonderful 
that these little creatures never miss their aim. The house was over- 
run with rats before he came, but now there is not one to be seen. I 
have lots of things for you; no end of bottles full of sweet little snakes 
and beetles; for all the curious little things I catch I keep in good 
spirits. I have bagged no less than fifty flying foxes. I have killed bats 
of all sizes, from the flying fox down to the size of a humble bee.” 
‘In answer to your questions, Ist. I have not seen any pheasants, 
as I am a great way from the hills. I read your note signed ‘ Ram- 
rod, in the ‘ Field’ newspaper, on the introduction of foreign game. 
Qnd. I have killed large game, as my last letter shows how I slew a 
tiger-cat, leopard and brace of fine boars, on foot in the jungle. 3rd. I 
have seen a great number of mango birds; they are very common in 
this district, although not in other parts of Lower Bengal. 4th. I have 
not, I am sorry to say, skinned any birds as yet, having only shot them 
for their feathers or for the table; the reason is that the weather has 
been so fearfully hot; but in the cold weather I intend making a good 
collection of bird-skins, and will send them to you; the principal 
shall be owls, hawks, eagles, &c. 5th. I have taken great notice of 
the habits of the birds, &c., that I happened to see, and you shall 
have these notes. The numbering system that you recommend is just 
the thing for me, as I do not know the names of half the things I kill. 
6th. I have studied the habits of the cobra di capello snake closely, 
and shall give you a few remarks after finishing the answer to the 
question concerning the habits of the snake bird. These birds 
are mostly found in pretty good numbers in the large unfrequented 
inland lakes, and when in the water all the body is hidden from view, 
only the head and neck being visible. They so resemble a snake when 
in the water that the most practised eye would be deceived at the 
distance of fifty yards. The neck is long, as is also the head and 
beak, and the neck has a most graceful motion when the bird is 
swimming. They are great divers, and will remain under water for 
the space of a minute and a half, and during that time will swim a 
very considerable distance. They are clumsy at rising, but when once 


Natural-History Notes from Bengal. 7277 


fairly on the wing fly at a great rate. The feet are large and webbed, 
like other divers and ducks ; the body is of a longish shape ; the skin 
of the neck is very beautifully marked, and it will stretch to a great 
extent. I intend sending you the skin of the male bird this cold 
weather, and you will then be able to determine its species correctly. 
Now for a few words on the cobra, “ the most deadly of Indian snakes.” 
I have been lucky enough to come across and kill fifteen of them since 
my arrival here. The only thing I have noticed in them is that they 
are far more cunning than any other snake, and when hotly chased 
will not hesitate to stand up and show fight, making a kind of blowing 
noise all the while: the natives say that if the cobra does bite when 
in this state of passion death is certain within an hour. One did 
a most curious thing to me; I was in full chase, and about twice his 
length behind him, when he suddenly raised himself backwards, and 
by so doing as near as possible laid hold of my leg, but on finding he 
had missed his aim he slunk off at a rapid pace, when I settled his 
hash with two cracks of a bamboo. I once caught a very large cobra 
in a curious way. This worthy used to live in a very thick wall 
in the hen house at Katchekatta, and nearly every night destroyed 
from three to five birds: all endeavours to catch him having heretofore. 
failed, I hit upon the following plan. Before his hole I drove a large 
nail into the ground, and to this [ fastened a bit of strong whipcord, 
about two feet long; at the end of the cord I lashed a fine sharp 
eel-hook, and upon this I tied with a thread a nice tempting lively 
yellow frog; then, leaving the yellow gentleman for the night in a very 
jumping humour, I retired, and early the next morning sure enough, 
as I expected, the frog and half the twine had disappeared down the 
hole. I now put a stone against the hole, unfastened the end of the 
string that was tied to the nail, and this I again fastened to a stout 
stick; then, removing the stone, with one jerk I brought the writhing 
cobra to light, who, never expecting this kind of treatment, growled 
like the very devil. I skinned him, as he was the largest I ever saw, 
being five feet long. 

“‘ Getting birds’ eggs in this country is very difficult work, the natives 
being such fools that they never know how to find a nest, and the 
only way I have got the few now in my possession was from watching 
the birds about a tree and then sending a man up to bring down the 
eggs. 

“ The birds that have most taken my fancy are the four kinds of game 
about here, but which, I am sorry to say are fast disappearing before 
the steps of civilization, and very soon not a partridge will be found 


7278 Reptiles. 


about this part of Bengal. I now send a sketch from a dead bird just 
rolled over by old Forsyth, the chicose partridge of India; and also 
another sketch, being the gray partridge; both are to the very life, 
although I did them myself. I intend, when I get a chance, to send 
you a sketch of both the black and painted partridge. This latter 
bird is rare about here, I having only shot one. 

“T have just obtained five splendid Longicorn beetles. My insect 


collection is going on famously. 
“i. A. W. Tayler.” 


Captain Taylor's Sea Serpent. — A friend, who has the opportunity of communi- 

cating with Melbourne on the subject of the young sea serpent which Captain Taylor 
says (Zool. 6985) he presented to the Museum at Melbourne, has ascertained through 
Mr. Coates, of that town, that Captain Taylor is so far correct, that he did at the time 
specified present a specimen of Pelamys bicolor to the Museum in question, and Pro- 
fessor M‘Coy exhibited the same to Mr. Coates. Of course there is no rational 
ground for concluding that this small sea snake is the young of any such gigantic 
creature as Captain Taylor has described.— Edward Newman. 
A Female Adder Swallowing her Young.— Walking in an orchard near Tyneham 
House, in Dorsetshire, I came upon an old adder basking in the sun, with her young 
around her; she was lying on some grass that had been long cut, and had become 
smooth and bleached by exposure to the weather. Alarmed by my approach, I dis- 
tinctly saw the young ones run down their mother’s throat. At that time I had never 
heard of the controversy respecting the fact, otherwise I should have been more 
anxious to have killed the adder, to further prove the case. As it was she escaped, 
while I was more interested in the circumstance I witnessed than io her destruction.— 
—Henry Bond ; Vicarage, South Petherton, Somerset, August 14, 1860. 


Discovery near London of a Physa new to the British Fauna.—Eanly last spring 1 
observed in a water-tank, in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, a mollusk, which at 
the time I supposed to be the Limnza peregra, but which on a closer examination, a 
short time since, I found to be a species of Physa, and quite distinct from either of the 
indigenous species P. fontinalis and P. Hypnorum. I became interested in the discovery, 
and I set to work immediately to endeavour to find out by what means it came there, 
and in order to ascertain its species I forwarded a few specimens to an eminent ‘conch- 
ologist: of my acquaintance, who pronounced it to be the Physa rivalis of Maton 
and Rackett. I sent some afterwards to the British Museum, and was informed that, 
according to the specimens there belonging to the collection of M. D’Orbigny, it was 
the Physa acuta of Draparnaud, and that its native habitat was the West Indies. 
I was led, therefore, to infer that it had been imported with some exotic aquatic 
plants, but upon giving the subject still further consideration two facts presented 


Crustacea. 7279 


themselves to my mind which militated strongly against the presumption of its being 
a native of the tropics, first, because tropical aquatic plants are only received at Kew 
in a dry state, and I question whether a mollusk so decidedly aquatic as the Physa 
could in any stage of its existence retain its vitality, and survive the lengthened period 
occupied in the transmission of the plants to this country; and secondly, assuming 
that it did so survive, could anything tropical having life retain its vitality after being 
exposed al fresco to the inclemency of a long and severe winter like the last? Being 
satisfied, therefore, that it was not an exotic species, and that its native habitat was not 
within the tropics, I continued my investigation, and at length I obtained a clew 
which brought to my recollection that nearly twenty years ago I collected some aquatic 
plants ina certain locality in the vicinity of the metropolis, for the use of the Royal 
Botanic Garden at Kew; and as I have just discovered that the Physa is found in that 
locality, as well as in Kew Gardens, the inference is obvious that it must have been 
introduced to the Royal Gardens with the aquatic plants in question, where it 
must have remained ever since. But I am constrained to refrain from mentioning 
this locality at present, from the fear that if known the Physa might become extinct 
there, owing to the rapacity of collectors in collecting specimens.—A. Choules ; Royal 
Gardens, Kew, October 20, 1860. 


On the Habits of Phronima atlantica.—Although it is perfectly true of the large- 
headed transparent shrimps comprising the family Phronomida, that they are more or 
less parasitic, being found stowed away in the pouches and other cavities of the equally 
pellucid Acalephe, yet sometimes they swim freely about and are frequently taken in 
the towing-net. I have taken a specimen from the cavity of a large Salpa, so they 
may be said to be parasitic on Mollusca as well as on Acalepha. In its free and inde- 
pendent state, when observed in a vessel of sea-water, Phronima atlantica is perfectly 
transparent, and the slender legs and tumid chele of the fifth pair are covered with 
red-brown dots. In its habits it is somewhat peculiar, even for a shrimp. Suspended 
head downwards in the water, it remains motionless like a spider in its web; the long 
hind legs extended with the tarsal joints all bent back; the prehensile fifth pair, with 
its gibbose spotted hand, arched inwards, and the post-abdomen curved forwards to- 
wards the head. In this attitude of attention he remains eagerly on the watch, and 
while staring with its great eyes, separating its jaws, and keeping ready its man- 
dibles, the false feet of the abdomen are incessant at work producing a current 
towards the mouth. No sooner is some minute organic particle drawn within the in- 
fluence of the vortex than the head and tail of the Phronima are brought together, 
and the object is immediately seized, if large enough, by the thumb and finger of the 
freckled hands, conveyed to the mouth and greedily devoured. When placed 
in spirits the skin becomes opaque, the colour of the legs is changed into a pale yel- 
‘Yow and the red-brown spots disappear. When we compare the delicate oceanic 
organisms seen fresh from the deep séa with the specimens in our bottles, well may 
we mournfully exclaim with St. Pierre, “ Our Books are but the Romance of Nature 
and our Museums her Tombs.’— Arthur Adams. 


7280 Insects. 


Note on the Rate of Speed of Flight of a Butterfly. — October 12th, at 5 p.m., 
on board the ‘‘ Pera,” some twelve miles east of Cape Bon, Africa, when sitting 
in the after part, I observed a painted lady butterfly. It came from the sea and 
readily overtook the steamer, which was then making ten and a half knots an hour. 
I observed the insect for about twenty-five minutes, during which it made three dis- 
tinct flights from the ship, and each time (as I thought) I saw it alight on the waves. 
The wind was nearly ahead and tolerably strong, and the log was heaved at the time, 
by which I determined the rate of the vessel. As I have never in my entomological 
reading met with any one actually testing the rate of speed of the flight of a butter- 
fly, I deem this note worthy of preservation in the pages of the ‘ Zoologist’- I may 
add that the insect alighted and again flew away, apparently quite untired — soaring 
high and flying at times directly aft.—C. Horne ; “ Pera,” October 12, 1860. 


Critical Notes on and Diagnostic Characters of the New British 
Sesia of 1860. By J. J. Reapine, Esq. 


LatEty I have been engaged in trying to make out this species, 
and believe I have succeeded satisfactorily in identifying it. Mr. 
Newman, in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 7153), claims the honour of first 
introducing this species to the British list, and refers the reader to his 
“ Monographia Ageriarum Angliz ” (Entomological Magazine, vol. i. 
p. 79). Mr. Newman considers this insect to accord with Trochilium 
Musceformis of Esper. In this I consider him correct, but the de- 
scription in his Monograph is so short, and some portions of it 
so unlike the insect, that I need not say that the description is 
insufficient to identify the species, but Mr. Newman, in the ‘ Zoologist’ 
(Zool. 7153) amends his description of the monograph: this amend- 
ment is more faulty than the first description, and I feel certain 
that Mr. Newman will not take it amiss if I venture to point 
out the mistakes:—“ Antenne fuscz, apice nigricantes, medio pal- 
-lidiores.” (Vide Monograph). The foregoing description certainly does 
not accord with the characters of Esper’s Musceformis, nor indeed 
with the best description that has hitherto appeared of Sesia Philan- 
thiformis, viz., that by Dr. Staudiger, in his ‘ Berlin Species.’ It 
runs thus: “ Antenne articulis 45 composite, czruleo-nigre, articulo 
basali infra flavescente in @ apicem versus supra squamis paucis 
albis, maculum conformantibus mixtus, in ¢ dentibus aculio in- 
structis.” It is plain these two descriptions do not refer to the same 
insect. 

Next to be considered are Mr. Newman’s amending remarks on this 


Insects. 7281 


species (Zool. 7153): “I may, however, remark that the number of 
pale rings on the abdomen is three only, instead of five.” (Mono- 
graph says five or six, viz., “ quinque aut sex cingulis Mavescentibus.”) 
Now, though specimens are known having two, three, and seven belts, 
yet it is remarkable that there are none recorded having five or six 
belts; therefore, in this particular, the amendment’ is nearer ‘an 
improvement, as it mentions the typical number of annuli on the abdo- 
men, viz., three. Mr. Newman continues, “The indistinct whitish 
annulus on the antenne of the female distinguishes this from all cog- 
nate species.” Taking Mr. Newman’s “annulus” to be the “macula” 
of Dr. Staudinger, the conclusions come to are certainly wrong, as this 
same marking is in the other sex of the same species, but indistinctly, 
and it is also on the antenne of both sexes of Chrysidiformis ; and in 
the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 4928), Mr. Newman describes the antenne of 
the female of S. Scolizformis, “ with a long whitish space on the apical 
porticn.” In a male of this species that I possess (it was sent tu 
me by the late discoverer) the whitish macula is indistinctly to 
beseen. In the female of S. Ichneumoniformis what is tefmed “ pale,” 
“paler,” in the middle of the antenne, is but a modification of this 
marking, therefore I take it that the mark mentioned would not 
in itself be sufficient to “ distinguish it from all cognate species.” 

It is said that the specimen from which Mr. Newman drew up his 
description, and which was printed in his Monograph, “is but 
a damaged specimen of §. Ichneumoniformis.” If this assertion be 
true, it will account for the discrepancy between his description and 
other authors. I will not say (until I have seen the specimen) whether 
it is that insect or not, but of this I am certain, viz., that the greater 
part of his description applies more to S. Musceformis (Esper) than 
to 8. Ichneumoniformis of authors. Having good specimens of the 
new captures,—one, a fine female, taken by myself at Whitsand 
‘Cliffs, Cornwall, last June; others taken by Mr. King, of Torquay, 
with notes of my own thereon. I have also two continental specimens, 
obligingly lent to me by J. R. Hind, Esq., for the purpose of helping 
‘me to identify the species; and George Wailes, Esq. kindly furnished 
me with copies of the descriptions of Sesia Philanthiformis, (Zasp., 
Och., Boisd.).. Upon the before-mentioned materials I chiefly rely, 
and have satisfied myself that the new Sesia is S. Philanthiformis 
(Linn., Hub., éc.) and 8. Musczformis (Esper). Both these names 
‘are’ in the field, but one is quite sufficient; 1 am not certain which 
has priority, S. Philanthiformis has had its present name from the time 

XVIII. 3R 


7282 . Insects. 


of Linnzus, and been called the same by Hubner, Ochsenheimer;.Go- 
dart, Boisduval and Staudinger, and even if S. Musceformis has the 
right in. priority, this is not the time to make any. alteration, as 
diversity of nomenclature between our lists and those of the continent 
is very undesirable, If any alteration ever takes place it must be done 
when a thorough revision of the group is made; for, as there is 
another species bearing the title of Musceformis by Duponchel, 
Boisduval and Herrich-Scheffer, it would not do;to have (particularly 
in one genus) two insects bearing the same name, I shall therefore in- 
troduce it by its usual appellation and give a description. 


Sesta (Fad.) PHILANTHIFORMIs, Linn., Lasp. 


Sesia Philanthiformis, Linn., Lasp., Hub., Och., Godt., Boisd., Staud. 
Trochilium Musceformis, Esper. 


Fronte nitido-czruleo-nigro. Palpis albis, eninge externo apice- 
que nigtis. Antennis ceruleo-nigris, in mare dentibus spi- 
natis et ciliatis, infra flavis plus vel ‘minus a base, in foemina 
infra fuscis, supra apicem versus macula magna alba; qua 
macula in mare imitata est squamis parcis fuscis vel. flaves- 
centibus aliquando obsoletis. Abdomine supra ceruleo- 
nigro vel metallico-fusco-nigro squamis flavis consperso, in 
‘Insecta typica cum annulo in marginibus posterioribus 2, 4, 6 
segmentorum, in varietatibus 1, 2,8, 4, 5, 6, vel 2,4, vel 2,7 
argenteo-niveo szpe flavescente. Fasciculo terminali in 
mare supra subfusco, infra flavescente, in foemina supra cen- 
tro sordido et subflavescente, lateribus subflavescente, infra 
sordido. - 


Size of the male 7—8 lines ; of the female 6—9 lines. 


Forehead bluish black, two chalk-white patches in front of the eyes. 
Palpi chalky white, with the outer margin and apex black.. Posterior 
margin of the head (collar) yellow. Antenne in the male bluish 
black above, underneath more or less yellow from the base, but dis- 
‘continuing a third (if not before) fromthe apex; in the female 
brownish underneath ;| a third from the apex on the upper side is a 
large white patch (the patch varies), which in: the male is represented 
by a few obscure brownish yellow scales, and in some specimens are 
obsolete. Prothorax and mesothorax on the upper side are shining, 
bluish black, on which is a dorsal yellow line, more or less narrow or 
shorter and longer. Metathorax brownish black above, blended 
with yellow scales, having on each side long yellow or hoary hairs. 


Insects. 7283 


Tegula. bluish black, shining, the inner margin broadly. yellow. 
Fore wings: costa bluish black, bluish brown or blackish brown, 
on the extreme. edge near the apex margined. with bright, yellow 
scales; outer and inner margins (and sometimes the central band) 
brownish black; the terminal band is diversified with three or four 
wedge-shaped pale yellowish patches; the usual longitudinal cunei- 
form area and the external rotundate areoli are pearly white, the edges 
of the former and the nerves passing through the latter with very pale 
yellowish or white scales; the nerves through the rotundate areola 
very much mixed with brown; astreak just above the inner margin 
more or less yellow (it is, however, wanting in some specimens and is 
replaced by a hyaline space). Hind wings: the fringe line broadly 
brownish black, widest in the middle and gradually narrowing to the» 
base of the wings; fringes to all the wings ashy gray, with the apices 
of the scales whitish, much whiter towards the base of the hinder 
wings. Coxz growing dusky, the front ones conspicuously white, | 
the hinder ones variegated with white. Femora of a dusky colour, 
the front ones approaching a clay-colour on the upper side, hinder 
ones have the outer margins somewhat yellowish. Tibiz of a dusky 
colour, the front ones yellowish above, the hind ones are sprinkled 
with chalk-coloured scales ; the spurs, the terminal hairs at the joints 
and tufts on the outer margin more or less yellow. ‘Tarsi: upper 
side whitish, clay-colour or yellow, beneath brownish. Abdomen 
above iridescent, brownish black, besprinkled with yellow scales; 
especially on the middle of the segments; on the under side 
the whole‘ (in some specimens) is covered with pale yellow scales; 
on the posterior margins of the second, fourth and sixth segments 
with a narrow silver-white or snow-white belt. The terminal tuft in. 
the male dusky above and yellow beneath ; in the female dull yellow, 
and dusky intermixed in the centre above, dull yellow at the sides 
and dusky beneath. 

Dr. Staudinger gives three varieties in his ‘ Berlin Species’ :— 

“a. Abdominis segmentis 2—7 postice tenuiter niveo sive flavido 

annulata.” 

. © B.. Abdomen linea laterale, latu distincta flavescente. 

“y. Neuris antennarum pauci tantem dentes aculeis instructi ; arez 

tres permagne, externz areola quinta ceteris non brevior.” | 


I can add to the above two more varieties, viz. :— 


9, Abdomine nigro attenuatissimo versus anum cum annulo sub- 
_ tilialbo in marginibus posterioribus 2, 4 segmentorum ¢. 


-a 


7284 Insects. 


e. Omnind perminutum exemplum circiter 6 linee in expansione 
alarum ; abdomine pariter lato per totum, margine posteriore 
omnium segmentorum annulato ex albido preter postremo ?. 


J. J. Reaping, 
Plymouth, October 19, 1860. 


Description of the Larva of Thyatira derasa. — Rolls in a ring when touched. 
Cylindrical, rather stouter anteriorly, velvety and somewhat transparent. Colour red- 
dish brown, with a slender median black stripe, and a circular conspicuous white spot 
on each side of the 5th segment, sometimes a smaller white spot in the same position 
on each side of the 6th and 7th segment: the belly is much paler than the back: the’ 
spiracles are black. Feeds on Rubus fruticosus (bramble), and is full fed on the 12th 
October. JI am indebted to Mr. Thomas Huckett for this larva, as well as for most 
of those which follow.—Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Ceropacha flavicornis—Head pale wainscot-brown, 
with a black spot on each cheek near the mouth. Body dingy yellowish green, the 
2nd segment having six. black spots, all of them close: adjoining the head, the 
two dorsal ones larger than the rest ; on each of the following segments are five black 
spots, the largest of which constitute a dorsal series, the second, smaller, constitute a 
supra-spiracular series, and the third, the smallest, an infra-spiracular series; each of 
the larger black spots has a row of three white dots above it and one white dot below ; 
the 3rd and 4th segments have a transverse band or belt of twelve white dots. 
It feeds on Betula alba (the birch) of which it rolls up the leaves into a kind of case, 
and only comes partially out to eat: it is almost impossible to beat this larva : 
in order to obtain it, the rolled-up leaves must be sought out and picked: full fed the 
10th July.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Dipthera Orion. —Whilst staying in Hampshire this 
summer I tooka single female D. Orion. As she was slightly worn and chipped I kept 
her in the hope of obtaining eggs, and was not disappointed. These in due time 
hatched, and the young larve fed well till their last moult, on birch. They then without 
any apparent reason began to die off. I introduced some oak twigs, for which the biirch 
was immediately deserted, but out of a numerous brood | only succeeded in obtaining 
four pupe. Iam inclined to think that in a state of nature this larva feeds indiscrimi- 
nately upon oak and birch, wandering from one tu the other. I never but once beat 
the larva; this was in Suffolk, where I thrashed two out of a birch bush in a wood 
near Ipswich, and thence it was that I fed my young larve at first solely on that tree. 
The following description of the larva may be acceptable to the readers of the 
‘ Zoologist’:—Back bluish black. On the fourth, sixth and ninth segmental divisions 
a large primrose-yellow blotch, and smaller ones of the same colour on the third and 
anal segments. On the second and third segments the rudiments of two central 
primrose-yellow dorsal lines. Dorsal and lateral segmental divisions girt with a belt 
of orange and primrose-yellow tubercles surmounted by tufts of pale reddish hair. 
Subdorsal lines primrose-yellow, interrupted and studded with various sized primrose- ~ 


Insects. 7285 


yellow spots. Lateral lines four or six in number, black, interrupted with yellow or 
orange; intermediate spaces yellow. Head black, slightly marked with yellow. 
Belly dirty gray, spotted and marked with black and white. Feet and prolegs 
yellowish, with black markings. Full fed the beginning of September. In appear- 
ance strongly resembles the larva of Liparis Salicis. In habits allied to the larve of 
the genus Acronycta. The eggs are flat and yellow. The pupa is enclosed in a 
cocoon of gnawed bark or rotten wood. It is dull red and very like that of A. 
Alni.—H. Harpur Crewe; The Rectory, Drayton-Beauchamp, Herts, October 27, 
1860. 

Description of the Larva of Acronycta tridens. — Does not roll in a ring or feign 
death when disturbed. Body somewhat incised at the interstices of the segments, 
hairy, and having a conspicuous hump on the 5th and 12th segments. Head black, 
shining, but emitting so many hoary hairs, as to give ita gray appearance. Body 
black, beautifully ornamented with orange and snow-white markings: 2nd segment 
black, with a small median white spot on the back; 3rd and 4th segments slightly 
tumid on the back, the centre of each swelling being orange-yellow ; on each side of 
each of these segments is also a bright orange spot; 5th segment with a conspicuous 
median hump, velvety black on the summit, but hoary behind, and having one white 
spot on each side; a little distance below this is a pair of white spots closely 
approximate and on each side of them a larger orange spot ; on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 
10th and 11th segments is a median stripe, rather narrowed, entire, and of an orange- 
yellow colour in the centre of each segment, rather dilated, longitudinally divided and 
dingy white in the interstices: on each side of each segment, below this median stripe, 
are two white spots, one above the other, like the colon in printing, and there are three 
orange spots of different forms below the lower of these white spots; the 12th 
segment is decidedly humped, and has a conspicuous snowy white mark on the sum- 
mit shaped something like a cross, but the hinder radius of the cross is sometimes. 
wanting; the hind margin of this segment has a broad orange border; the 13th seg- 
ment terminates in a kind of horn, quite black and directed backwards: below 
the lateral series of orange spots I have described, is a lateral stripe mottled with yel- 
lowish markings, among which are situated the spiracles, and below this again is 
a slender interrupted orange stripe. Feeds on Betula alba (birch), and is full fed on 
the 8th October.— Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Acronycta Psi.—Head rather large. Body hairy, 
with parallel sides, but humped on the back; the first hump is slender, long, erect, 
horn-like, and seated on the 5th segment; the second hump is shorter, broader, and 
on the 12th segment. Head black, hairy, shining, its divisions very convex; 2nd 
segment black, with a very narrow median yellow line; 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 
10th and 11th segments with a broad median yellow stripe and a median square spot 
of the same colour on the hinder part of the 12th segment; the horn-like hump on the 
5th segment is intensely black and clothed with crowded short black hairs, intermixed 
with scattered long ones; on each side of the median stripe is an equally broad jet-black 
stripe, and in this on every segment, from the 5th to the 12th, both inclusive, are two 
transverse’ bright red spots, with two minute whitish warts between each pair, the 
warts emitting black bristles: below the black stripe on each side is a broad 
gvay stripe emitting gray hairs, and including the black spiracles ; this gray stripe is 
reddish on the anterior segments, the intensity of the red increasing towards the head. 
Belly, legs, and claspers dingy flesh-coloured. Feeds on Crataegus oxyacantha (white- 


7286 Insects. 


thorn), Pyrus communis (péar), &c. Full fed on the 16th September. — Edward 
Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Acronycta leporina.—When disturbed falls off, and for 
a short time feigns death, in a semicircular posture; but its outline is concealed by 
the length of its hairs. Colour pale delicate green, completely covered with long 
curved silky hairs, all of them directed backwards; these hairs are either hoary white, 
or delicate pale canary-colour, or more decidedly yellow, and the body has a tendency 
to a similar variation in colour, although its normal tint is green: there are small 
erect fascicles of short black hairs on the back of the 4th and 6th segments, and single 
erect black hairs in a row on both sides, . It feeds on Betula alba (birch), and is full 
fed on the 20th of September, when, concealing itself in a crevice of the bark, 
it makes a little excavation, in which it changes toa pupa, and remains in that 
state all the winter. In confinement it. will gnaw a hole in cork about the circum- 
ference of its body, and after entering, gum up the mouth of the hole, so that its ulte- 
rior proceedings are completely concealed.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Acronycta Ligustrt.— Will not roll in a ring when 
handled. Head delicate green and almost transparent, very shining, the mouth dark 
brown or almost black. Body glaucous-green, with a very narrow median white 
stripe down the back, not always extending to the 2nd or 13th ‘segment; another 
stripe, rather broader than the median stripe and of a yellowish white on each side, 
extends from the head the entire length of the larva; this is about equidistant between 


the dorsal stripe and the spiracles; each segment emits eight, ten or twelve delicate ’ 


silky-looking bristles. Feeds on Ligustrum vulgare (privet), and is full fed on the 
26th of September.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Acronycta Rumicis.—Rolls in a loose ring when 
touched; has all the segments distinctly tumid, and the interstices between them 
deeply incised, as in the fasciculate larve of the Saturniade. Head small, shining 
and black, and emitting a few ferruginous hairs: each segment of the body has a cir- 
cular series of ten warts, and each wart emits a number of stiff, straight, ferruginous 
bristles, which radiate from the wart as from a centre. Colour intensely black above 
and below; down the centre of the back is:a series of orange-vermilion markings, two 
on each segment, except the second ; the first of these bright markings is longitudinal, 
the second transverse ; on each side of this median series is a subdorsal series of snowy- 
white markings, indistinct on the 2nd and 3rd segments, and absent from the 4th ; 


the spiracles are snowy white, and beneath the spiracles on each side is a variegated’ 


stripe passing through every segment, except the 13th; on each segment this stripe is 


orange-red in the middle, yellow-white on the sides. Feeds on Urtica dioica’ 


(stinging nettle), and is full fed on the 20th of September.—Zd. 


Description of the Larva of Mamestra Persicarie.— Rolls in a tight ring when dis-' 


turbed. Head rather small and partially withdrawn into the 2nd segment, when at 


rest. Body smooth, very stout, attenuated anteriorly ; 12th segment largest, tumid, 


and obtusely humped. Colour various, bright green, dingy green, rosy brown or dark 


brown ; as in most other cases where this difference of colour prevails, the brown spe- 


cimens produce males, the green ones females: in the following definition I describe 


only the intensity, not the colour of the markings. Head shining, pale, mottled with’ 


darker; 2nd segment with a nearly square dark velvety patch on the back, 


bounded on each side by a longitudinal white line, and being intersected in’ 
the middle by a third longitudinal white line; a pale narrow median stripe com-- - 


Insects. 7287 


mences at the termination of this short white line and terminates on the 12th 
Segment ; on each side are two series of oblique dark markings; those of the upper 
series commence on the 5th segment and are continued to the 12th, each commencing 
about the middle of the side and passing obliquely upwards and backwards to the 
median stripe, and. there meeting a corresponding marking on the opposite side and 
forming a series of V-shaped markings, the points of the V’s directed backwards; 
those V’s on the 5th and 6th segments have the greatest intensity ; the 12th segment 
is also much darker than the rest, but the dark portion has lost the V-shape : there is 
a slender dark rivulet stripe on each side below the V-shaped markings, and from this 
descend five other oblique markings, taking an opposite direction to the upper ones, 
and terminating in the claspers; in the upper part of each of these is situated a white 
Spiracle; the 12th segment has a pale’squarish patch behind: the anterior part of the 
body is dark beneath. Feeds on a great variety of plants, and is particularly fond of 
elder ; is full fed at the end of September, and buries itself in the earth in order to 
undergo the change to a pupa.—Adward Newman. 

| Description of the Larva of Agrotis precox.—Head very pale brown, broadly 
notched on the crown, a dark V-shaped mark pointing backwards on the face. 
Colour of the body very various; a median dorsal series of longitudinal gray 
markings, each extending almost the length of a segment and dilated posteriorly ; 
these markings are margined on each side by others of smoky brown, which are nar- 
towed to mere lines in front, but dilated posteriorly; on each side of the nar- 
owed portion is a spot of the same colour: all the aforesaid markings constitute a 
variegated median stripe; on each side of this is a ferruginous stripe interrupted at 
the segmental divisions, and below this on each side is a narrow stripe of smoke 
colour ; then a narrow gray stripe, and then a broad smoke-coloured stripe extending 
to the spiracles, which are black; a gray ‘stripe below the spiracles.. Belly 
dingy gray. Feeds on Alsine media (chickweed) ; full fed at Midsummer. I am in- 
-debted to Mr. Gregson, of Liverpool, for this larva.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Trachea piniperda.—Head pale wainscot-brown : body 
-clear pale brown, with five longitudinal white stripes, one of which is median, passing 
-down the very middle of the back; the next on each side is subdorsal, and is bordered 
above by a delicate jet-black line ; the next on each side is spiracular, and is accom- 
‘panied beneath by an orange stripe: on all parts of this larva are scattered black dots, 
but I can find no order in their distribution. Feeds on Pinus sylvestris (the Scotch 
fir), and is full fed on the 10th of July.—Zd. ‘ 

Deseription of the Larva of Orthosia instabilis. — Rolls in a ring when touched. 
-Head: green, shining, unspotted. Body bright pea-green, with a whitish ring 
‘immediately behind the head, a narrow whitish stripe down the very middle of the 
back, another on each side supraspiracular; intermediate between the dorsal and 
supraspiracular stripes is another indistinct stripe, composed of a series of whitish dots: 
-every part of the larva is sprinkling with these whitish dots, except the belly, which is 
sprinkled with black dots ; the disks of the claspers are also intensely black: occa- 
-Sionally black dots of uniform size, but at irregular distances, appear on the back and 
sides. It feeds on oak, and is full fed on the 10th of July : it buries itself in the earth 

to assume the pupa state.—Id. 
\) Deseription of the Larva of Teniocampa gracilis—Rolls in a ring when touched. 
Back broadly dull green, with three paler narrow stripes, and between these paler 


7288 Insects. 


Stripes are a series of pale dots‘ the broad green portion of the back is bordered on 
each side by a smoke-coloured stripe, the upper margin of which is suffused and in- 
distinct, the lower margin sharply defined and very distinct; on each side below the 
smoke colour is a pale green stripe, paler still at both its upper and lower margins. 
Belly and claspers pellucid green. Feeds on Salix caprea (sallow); full fed on the 
5th of July. Lam indebted to the Rev. J. Hellins for this larva.— Edward 
Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Hoporina croceago.—Rolls ina ring when touched. 
Colour wainscot-brown, tinged with orange, and delicately mottled with the same 
colour, of a rather darker hue; this darker colour is very apparent in a V-shaped 
mark on the back of every segment, the apex of the V pointing towards the tail of 
the larva. Feeds on oak, and is full fed by the 5th of July. I am indebted to the 
Rev. J. Hellins for this larva.—Id. 

Description of the Larva of Dianthecia capsincola.—Rolls in a ring when tuuched. 
Head rather small. Body smooth, attenuated at both-ends. Head pale brown, very 
shining. Body dingy brown, opaque, with a very slight indication of a median 
stripe, and having each segment marked on the back with a somewhat obsctire smoke- 
coloured V-shaped mark, the apex of which points towards the tail, and near its apex 
each V encloses a small transverse bar of its own colour, and at each extremity 
of each bar is a nearly circular dot still of the same colour ; the spiracles are black, 
and immediately above each is a slight swelling. Feeds on the seeds of Lychnis ves- 
pertina (the white campion): it makes a perfectly round hole in the capsule, 
and usually feeds with half its body hanging out of the hole: it is full fed on the 4th 
of October. I am indebted to Mr. C. J. Biggs for this larva.—Id: 

Description of the Larva of Euplexia lucipara.— Rolls in a very rigid ring when 
touched. Head shining, pale pellucid green: body opaque, but delicate green on the 
back, gradually paler on the sides until this colour merges in a white stripe below the 
spiracles ; the belly below this white stripe is of a more intense green than the back; 
on each side is a series of rather darker oblique lines than the rest of the’ back, 
these are very indistinct; meeting on the back they combine to form indistinetly pro- 
nounced V-shaped markings pointing backwards, and their apices meeting on a cen- 
tral very narrow paler stripe; there are two conspicuous white dots on the 12th 
segment, and others less observable on various parts of the body. Feeds on birch: 
I beat several of these larvee full fed on the 16th of September.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Hadena oleracea.—Rolls in a ring when disturbed. 
Usual colour pale delicate green: less commonly clear transparent brown, always 
having a narrow bright yellow stripe immediately below the spiracles ; above this yel- 
low stripe is a less distinct smoke-coloured stripe, which gradually vanishes into’ the 
green of the back: on the back of every segment are several jet-black dots; on the 
2nd, 3rd and 4th segments these dots form a direct transverse series, but not on the 
following segments; on the sides of the larva below the spiracles are three or four 
more of these black dots, and'on the 6th, 7th, 11th and 12th segments there are black 
dots on the belly: in addition to these somewhat conspicuous black: dots; the back is 
sprinkled with multitudes of ocellated and very minute white dots. Feeds on Urtica 
dioica (nettle), Ulmus campestris (elm), several species of Rumex (dock) and many 
other plants. Full fed on September 26th: buries itself in.the earth to assume the 
pupa state.—Id. se 


Insects. 7289 


., Description of the Larva of Hadena Pisi.— Rolls in a ring when disturbed. A 
very beautiful larva. Head shining, very pale green ; a broad median stripe on the 
back olive-green, most delicately irrorated and margined with black ; on each side of 
this a narrower stripe of bright clear yellow ; again, below the yellow stripe a broader 
stripe of olive-green, which, like the median stripe, is delicately irrorated and mar- 
gined with black; then follows, on each side, a narrower stripe, the upper half of 
which is white, the lower half yellow; this stripe includes the spiracles: belly pale 
green, irrorated with black along the spiracular line; legs and claspers pale green. 
After the last change of skin, the green parts frequently become rich purple-brown. 
Feeds on Pteris aquilina generally. Found by Mr. Thomas Huckett, feeding on 
Betula alba (birch). Full fed 29th September.—Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Hadena contigua. — Rolls in a ring when touched, but 
soon unrolls itself and commences crawling with great rapidity. Head shining, dingy 
green, reticulated with rufous-brown: body orange-ochre, inclining to rufous on the 
back, dingy yellowish green on the sides and belly : the rufous hue of the back is due 
to reticulated markings, which are crowded and clustered in certain parts so as to form 
a series of eleven Vs down the middle, the apex of each V pointing towards the tail ; 
a narrow and interrupted rufous stripe includes the spiracles. Feeds on Betula alba 
(birch) and Quercus Robur (oak). Full fed on the 26th September.—Jd. 

Description of the Larva of Xylocampa lithorhiza.—Rolls in a ring when touched. 
Attenuated towards the head, and having the segments slightly prominent and well 
defined. Pale wainscot-brown, with a still paler median dorsal stripe; on the Sth 
segment is an ill-defined dark brown blotch on the back, and there are several irregu- 
lar narrow dark lines on each side. Feeds on Lonicera periclymenum (honeysuckle), 
and is full fed on the 5th July. I am indebted to the Rev. J. Hellins for this larva. 
—Id. 

Description of the Larva of Erastria venustula.—Does not roll in a ring or appear 
to feign death: smooth velvety, rather tumid in the 4th and 5th segments, and evi- 
dently connected at the interstices of the segments: colour purplish brown, with a 
paler median dorsal stripe indistinct throughout, and almost obliterated on the 3rd and 
4th segments; there is alsoa rounded spot of the same pale colour as the median stripe 
on each side of the 5th segment, Feeds on the yellow blossoms of Tormentilla vul- 
garis (the common tormentil), and spins a slight cocoon on the surface of the earth 
about the 26th of August, when it is full fed. I am indebted to Mr. C. J. Biggs for 
thisjlarva.—Jd. , 

Description-ef the Larva of Abrostola Urtice. — Never rolls in a ring, but some- 
times feigns death and falls off its food when disturbed, assuming a bent posture. 
Attenuated in front, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments being attenuated and stretched 
out leech-like in walking; the 5th, 6th and 7th segments are tumid on the hack, 
scarcely humped; the 8th, 9th and 10th segments rather tumid and very convex on 
the back ; the 12th segment is humped, quadrate, and terminating in two sharp short 
distant points directed backward; between this and the 13th segment, is slightly 
coneave, and the hind claspers are passed under the body in walking. Prevailing 
colour clear pale green, mixed with white-green on the back, and not varied with 

‘brown; the clear green forms an interrupted median stripe of shuttle-shaped markings 
down the back, one on each segment ; also two broad oblique marks of the same green 
on each segment, distant in front, but approximate behind, and forming something 
like V-shaped markings pointing backward; a narrow white stripe along the middle 


XVIII. 358 


7290 Insects. 


of each side on the 5th, 6th and 7th segments; this is connected by a very distinct 
white line with the white on the back. Feeds on Urtica dioica (stinging nettle), and 
is full fed in September, when it spins up amongst the leaves.— Edward Newman. 

Description of the Larva of Abrostola triplasia.—Never rolls in a ring, but feigns 
death when disturbed, and falls to the ground, assuming somewhat the figure of a pot- 
hook or letter S. Attenuated in front, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments being elon- 
gated and stretched out leech-like in walking ; the 5th and 6th segments are humped 
and elevated in walking ; the claspers are ten in number, the anterior pair, those on the 
7th segment, being generally held clear of the ground in walking ; the 12th segment is 
humped, and the hump concave, culminating in two lateral points; the outline of the 
larva from this last hump descends perpendicularly to the anal pair of elaspers, and 
these evidently pass under the body whenever moved forwards in walking. Prevailing 
colour. olive-green or dingy brown, very variable; 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments deeper 
olive-brown, with a whitish central dorsal stripe, aud generally also a short lateral 
stripe of the same pale, hue; the 5th and 6th segments have each a dark velvety patch 
on the centre of the back, which I have already described as humped ; on the 5th seg- 
ment this patch is triangular, the apex of the triangle being anterior, and the triangle 
surrounded by a whitish margin; the patch on the 6th segment is rounded before and 
behind and there margined with white, but open and not distinctly margined on the 
sides ; the 12th segment has a transversely oblong dark velvet patch, surrounded with 
a white line: on all the segments, from the 5th to the 12th inclusive, is a rather indis- 
tinct and narrow white stripe just above the spiracles, which are also white ; above this 
lateral stripe is an oblique line of the same colour on each segment. Feeds on Urtica 
dioica (nettle), Humulus lupulinus (hop), and is full fed about the end of September, 
when it spins up amongst the leaves.—Id. 

Capture of Calosoma sycophania near Penzance. —On examining, some weeks 
since, a few drawers of British insects, collected in this neighbourhood by Mr. W. H. 
Vingoe, naturalist, I was surprised at beholding in one of them a splendid specimen 
of Calosoma sycophanta, which he assured me was captured by himself in a field near 
Penzance, about three years since, but the exact locality he had forgotten. — W. H. 
Hayward ; Penzance, November 2, 1860. 

Is Diachromus germanus an Indigenous Insect ?—The recent capture of Diachro- 
mus germanus has raised the question, Has it any claim to rank as an indigenous 
insect? It will be readily admitted that the appearance of this insect having been’ 
hitherto confined to that part of the coast which borders the English Channel would 
appear to give some warranty forthe adoption of such an opinion ; but probably, if we 
place the state of the case briefly in its correct position, a little attentive consideration 
of the circumstances may be found to shake, if not destroy, such hasty conclusions. If 
the species is not truly a British one, in what way are we to account for its getting a 
footing here? Does it fly across the channel, or does it swim? There is certainly 
another meuns of transit, — does it avail itself of the shipping, and take a passage on 
board? This is certainly possible, and we may therefore expect it to land on any spot 
between the Land’s End and the Port of London. Up to the present time it does not 
appear to have chosen many localities for such a purpose: Kingsbridge, Deal 
and Hastings are the only spots apparently which it hasselected. If we reject the 
idea of its being conveyed by shipping, let us see what distance it must fly im order to 
reach the above localities. | Kingsbridge, in Devon, is about one hundred miles from 


Insects. 7291 


the nearest point of the Continent; Deal is about twenty-five; and Hastings not less 
than forty-five miles: either of these distances, it will be allowed, is a tolerable long 
flight for little Diachromus. I have thus briefly stated the two most obvious means 
whereby it may be supposed possible that Diachromus may reach our shores ; I will, 
in the next place, with equal brevity, state the circumstances under which the capture 
of the insect took place. The first capture was made on the 2nd of September; the 
second on the 3rd of the same month ; for six or seven weeks previous the wind had 
been from the south, south-west, and occasionally it had veered slightly towards the 
north, but not once had it gone to the east—the only wind that would have assisted it 
in its fight had it crossed the Channel. On the day of its capture the wind changed 
to the north-west, the sun was bright and hot, which roused all insect-life from the 
chill which had so long kept them motionless; Staphylinide, Curculionidae, Geode- 
phaga, &c., took wing, and the strong breeze which blew from the north-west carried 
them over the town of Deal, and, in fact, scattered them along the whole line of the 
east coast ; myriads were no doubt carried into the sea, and many a Diachromus pro- 
bably perished in the Channel, or was lost on the fatal Goodwin Sands; the streets of 
Deal were literally sprinkled with insects ; it was, in fact, impossible to walk without 
crushing them under foot; the whole were brought from the country by the north-west 
wind ; Diachromus had therefore been carried into Deal from some locality situated at 
the back of the town of Deal. Had an east wind prevailed and a similar shower of 
insects appeared, doubtless many Continental rarities might have occurred. In my 
own opinion, taking all circumstances into consideration, Diachromus is undoubtedly 
a British insect, an indigenous species, and that it will be taken plentifully, like 
Dyypta dentata and Polystichus fasciolatus, whenever its proper locality is once dis- 
covered.—L’, Smith ; 27, Richmond Crescent, Islington.—Intelligencer. 

Capture of Velleius dilatatus in a Nest of Hornets,—I last night succeeded in cap- 
turing a nest of hornets, the first I ever had the chance of making an attack upon: I 
took the whole number prisoners, with the loss of three or four lives only,—I mean on 
the adversary’s side, —I did not lose so many, In preparing to remove the nest a 
rather good-looking Staph, evidently “ the worse for liquor” (chloroform), was 
observed staggering about among its legitimate “ occupiers and owners,’ who were 
“too far gone” themselves either to assist or tomolesthim. I very soon had him “in 
custody” as one “ drunk and incapable,” and although Iam not “ well acquainted 
with the family,” I think there is little doubt he will be found to answer to the name of 
Velleius dilatatus, I transplanted the colony during the night, and this morning the 
work of the nest is being carried on in a glazed box under my own eye. As the cap- 
ture of a nest of hornets is not an every-day occurrence, I will, when time permits, 
detail the plan of attack I adopted in the present instance, when it will be seen that 
with proper and very simple precautions no danger whatever need be apprehended by 
the assailing party. — S, Stone; Brighthampton, Witney, Oxfordshire, September 
8, 1860.—Intelligencer. 

Capture of Dinarda dentata at Weybridge-—A few days ago I had the pleasure of 
receiving two living specimens of Dinarda dentata from Mr. Crotch, who has, I be- 
lieve, taken it in some abundance: I do not know the species of ant in the nest of 
which they were found, but Mr, Reading has occasionally taken it in that of F. fusca. 
Yesterday I had the gratification of taking three exampies of D. dentata from the 
nest of Formica sanguinea; probably this is the first time it has been discovered, in 
this country, in the nest of this species of ant. I. sanguinea is by no means rare at 


7292 Insects. 


and in the neighbourhood of Weybridge. As J only devoted about half an hour to 
searching I am inclined to think that the Dinarda is not uncommon in the nest of F. 
sanguinea. I have not been successful in my search: after novelties in the nest of F. 
cunicularia, but as the ant is generally distributed, and not at all uncommon about 
London, I still hope to find some novelty in the nest of that species. For the 
instruction of those who have not studied the Formicide, and are not well acquainted 
with the species and their habits, I may add that F. sanguinea closely resembles the 
wood ant (F. rufa), but it mines its galleries in banks, and particularly at this period 
of the season swarms with slaves, the latter being individuals of the species F. fusca. 
—F. Smith ; 27, Richmond Crescent, Islington, N.—‘ Intelligencer.’ 

The Hexagonal Form of Bees’ Cells. — The following fact may perhaps be ac- 
cepted asa help to the elucidation of one of the greatest marvels presented to us in 
the Animal Kingdom. The wonderful instinct of bees in the formation of their honey~ 
comb has long excited the admiration and astonishment of man. The regular hexa- 
gonal construction of their cells has been almost viewed as a reproof to the geometric 
capacities of our own species; and philosophers have devoted their lives to the exposition 
of its mysteries, “nor,” in the words of Spence and Kirby, ‘‘have its mysteries ever 
been fathomed,” and again, “ the construction of the combs of a bee-hive is a miracle 
which overwhelms our faculties.” So many theories have been advanced on this com- 
plex subject that it seems almost preposterous to attempt any further explanation, 
but that the original (or if I may so say) predisposing cause of this arrangement is 
pressure or extraneous force may be received as a plausible idea; thus Buffon and 
others have described these cells as originally cylindrical, but changed to hexagonal by 
the pressure of the bees at work upon them, a theory refuted by the authors above 
noticed. Now, allowing this view of compression to be partly true, and without sub- 
scribing wholly to the notion that it is the direct result of the insects at work, there is 
another explanation I venture to put forth for this phenomenon. May it not result 
from the natural adaptability of the material, under the force of gravitation, to form 
hexagons, or to speak more plainly, in obedience to a law, the walls of each cell adapt 
themselves to the conditions superimposed, apart from any predetermination or 
instinctive impulse on the part of their builders? This seems to me at least fairly 
entitled to consideration, and chiefly from the following apparently trivial cir- 
cumstance: having lately opened a box containing two or three hundred pills, 
which had been sent from a chemist’s some time previous, in a hard condition, I was 
surprised, after removing the upper layers, to find, on approaching the bottom of the 
box, for the most part regular hexagons, roughly, yet strikingly resembling the cells 
of a honeycomb, and in some cases, where the pressure was unequal, pentagons 
appeared to have been formed: here, thought I, is possibly an analogy, to the forma- 
tion of the cells, 2. e. bee-hive, and though duly conscious of the comparative worth- 
lessness of so slight a fact on which to build a theory, I have considered it worth com- 
municating for the mature consideration of your numerous scientific readers.—J. 
Hawkes ; Kent County Ophthalmic Hospital, Maidstone, October 30, 1860. 


Entomological Society. 7293 


Proceedings of Societies. 
Enromotocicat Society. 
November 5, 1860.—J. W. Dovetas, Esq., President, in the chair. 


Donations. 


The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to the 
donors:—‘ Patent Office Reports: Agriculture, for 1857, 1858, 1859; presented by 
the United States Government. ‘Twelfth Annual Report of the Ohio State Board of 
Agriculture, with an Abstract of the Proceedings of the County Agricultural Societies 
to the General Assembly of Ohio: for the year 1857;’ by the Board. ‘ Annual 
Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, shewing the Opera- 
tions, Expenditures and Condition of the Institution for the year 1858’; by the In- 
stitution. ‘ Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History,’ Vol. vi., Sheets 
23—28; Vol. vii., Sheets 1—9;~by the Society. ‘ Bibliographia librorum Entomolo- 
gicorum in America Boreali Editorum ;’ by the Author, W.Sharswood. ‘ Sitzungsbe- 
richte der Konig] bayer Akademie du Wissenschaften zu Miinchen, 1860, Heft 
1 and 2; by the Academy. ‘ The Zoologist’ for November; by the Editor. ‘Journal 
of the Society of Arts’ for October; by the Editor. ‘The Farm and the Garden, 
Vol. ii. Nos. 19—21; by C. A. Wilson, Esq. ‘The Atheneum’ for October; by the 
Editor. ‘Dela Chasse des Hymenoptéres ;’ by the Author, Dr. Sichel. ‘ The Jour- 
nal of Entomology,’ No. 2; by the Proprietors. Four specimens of Heliophobus his- 
pidus ; by F. Bond, Esq. 


Exhibitions. 


The President exhibited Mycetoporus angularis, Rey and Mulsant, a species not 
hitherto announced as British, which he had taken in the mud on the coast near 
Shoreham, Sussex, on the 7th ult.: he observed that the above authors described the 
sixth segment of the abdomen in this insect as testaceous-brown, which did not agree 
with his examples; the insect had been previously taken by Dr. Power and Mr. 
Waterhouse. 

Dr. Power sent for exhibition the following British Coleoptera, with the accom- 
panying remarks :— 

Mycetoporus angularis, Rey and Muls. Cambridge, 1833. I have seen many 
other specimens in possession of Messrs. Waterhouse, Douglas, Brewer, &c. 

Quedius infuscatus, Erich. Sent to me by Mr. Crotch for determination. Said 
to be found about nests of Formica fusca. 

Ammecius brevis, Erich. Taken by Mr. mintavt on the sands at Southport. 
_ These three insects, I believe, have not hitherto been announced as British. 

Sphindus Gyllenhalli, Chev. Taken by C. Turner, in a fungus in the New 
Forest. This insect is figured by Spry and Shuckard, and described as found in Sher- 
wood Forest, but does not occur in Stephens or any of our Catalogues; neither have I 
seen any British specimens except this. 
| Rhizophagus nitidulus, Evich. Scouland. Distinguished from R. dispar, which I 

have placed below it for comparison, by its larger size, cylindrical aud convex form, 
the red band at base of the elytra, and especially by the last segment of the abdomen 
being deeply impressed beneath. 


7294 Entomological Society. 


Lamophleus bimaculatus, Payk. New Forest, August, 1860. 

Oxylenus variolosus, Duf. Taken by myself from rotten fungus grown on a stump 
at Holme Bush, May, 1860. 

Heterius sesquicornis. Interesting as taken by myself from a new locality 
(Weybridge), in the autumn (October, 1860), and from nests of F. rufa, instead of 
those of F. fusca, as at the only other known locality, Hampstead. 

Leptinus testaceus. Near London, October, 1860. 

Batrisus venustus.. Near Croydon, under bark, October, 1860. 

Mycetoporus punctus, Erich. Near London, October, 1860, 

Philonthus splendidulus, Erich. Scotland, 1860. Possibly sometimes confounded 
with P, aterrimus, but easily distinguished by having only five thoracic punctures and 
pale antenne, 

Platyderus dissectus.. Taken by the Rev. A. H. Matthews near Nottingham. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan sent for exhibition a specimen of a new British species of 
Phryganidz (Limuophilus borealis of Zetterstedt), identified from a specimen in the 
foreign collection in the British Museum, from Dr. Hagen; also an example of 
Agrypnia Pagetana (Curtis), taken originally near Yarmouth, and of which very few 
British specimens are known. Both of these species were taken by Mr. Winter in the 
Ranworth Fens. 

Mr. John Scott exhibited the following Coleoptera, recently captured by him- 
self:— . 

Leptinus testaceus. Taken in the London district. 

Mycetoporus punctus. Ditto. 

Philonthus splendidulus. Under bark of oak, at Abergavenny. 

Omosita depressa. Under bark, at Crwmlyn. 

Mr. Stevens exhibited some splendid Coleoptera, lately received from M. Mouhot, 
captured by him in Cambodia; amongst them may be mentioned both sexes of 
Baladeva Walkeri, first described and figured in the ‘Transactions’ of the Suciety, 
and the female hitherto unknown; a magnificent new Buprestis, equal in size to the 
largest known species of the family; and a splendid smaller species, also new, and 
both unique. Mr. Stevens also called attention to some fine new Longicorns and 
Anthribide in the collection. 

Mr. Janson exhibited the following Coleoptera, not previously recorded as natives 
of Britain, viz. Bradycellus harpalinus, Dej., Mycetoporus angularis, Muls., and 
Hylastes cunicularius (Knoch,), Eric. 

Mr. Janson also exhibited the nest of an Hymenopterous insect, apparently a 
species of Pelopeus, which had been found inside a grand piano-forte sent home 
from Ceylon to Messrs. Collard & Co., for repairs. 

Mr. Waterhouse read a paper intitiled “ Notes on Cikyeaneliaws in the Linnean 
and Banksian Collections,” 

Mr. Walker read “Characters of undescribed Lepidoptera in the Collection of 
W. Wilson Saunders, Esq.” 

Part vii. of the current volume of the Society’s ‘ Transactions’ was on the table.— 
E.S. 


Radiata. 7295 


The Sea Anemones of Dawlish, Devon.—Seeing by your last most interesting and 
valuable work on Sea Anemones that you particularize different localities in which 
species are found, I venture to trespass on your valuable time by describing 
the varieties which I — although a tyro indeed — have found at.Dawlish. Small 
orange, drab, and flesh-coloured Actinoloba Dianthus, with disks, when expanded, 
varying in circumference from a silver penny-piece toa shilling or even half-a crown, 
are common enough. And here and there, mostly in the company of the Plumose, I 
find Sagartia viduata, with the disk averaging three-quarters of an inch in diameter, 
and column, principally at night, extended to nearly two inches. Within three 
hundred yards of the shore at the Horse Rock point, on a low shelving mass of con- 
glomerate rock, I have lately come upon a complete colony of the white, and a variety, 
translucent neutral-tinted white Dianthus, with disks as large as represented in figure 
1, plate 1 of your book. May I describe to you here also the peculiarity of one of the 
large sized Actinoloba which I found? Unfortunately, after a month’s healthy exist- 
ence it died, ere I had seen your book, or I should have ventured to send it to you: 
a young Dianthus was attached to its column about a quarter of an inch from the base, 
with a disk at least half an inch in diameter. I noticed that if I touched the tentacles 
of the largest flower, both felt the shock and contracted ; or if I fed the small one, 
the larger Dianthus began to draw in its tentacles and close up, and I saw the food 
moving up and down, as if in a liquid state, in the large column. Then again, if I 
fed the mother Dianthus, the tiny one contracted, and would expand with the same 
translucency afterwards, as the Dianthus usually does on being fed. There was'no ridge 
or contraction that would warrant the separation afterwards of the two animals, the 
column of the smaller Dianthus seeming merely a bulging out-of one side of 
the larger one. Brown or chocolate-coloured Sagartia bellis, with vermilion-streaked 
disks, and columns shading from flesh-colour to pinky violet where the suckers ¢om~ 
mence, I also found in great quantities on the same rocks: also S. Troglodytes, such as 
described at plate 2, figure 5 of your work; and I have no doubt that there are many 
other species of Anemones in the same place, but the tide flows so rapidly at this par- 
ticular point that I have as yet but half explored its hanging rocks. Having once or 
twice, when in search of sea-weeds and Lucernaria, come upon a solitary floating 
Sagartia sphyrodeta on rocks uncovered at ordinary low tides, I felt persuaded that 
there must be a colony of them somewhere near, and soon I found them. On 
a stretch of perpendicular mud-covered rock, close to the Horse Rock point, I counted 
a hundred and seventy in one space, not averaging more than a yard in width 
and height; and since then I have found another numerous colony of the white-disked 
Sphyrodeta. Should you like to see any of the varieties which I have mentioned, I 
shall be very happy to send them to you, as I have had Sagartia sphyrodeta and 
viduata; as well as all sized Plumose Anemones, in perfect health, for six months. 
Last month Lucernariz were to be found here in such quantities that one could scarcely 
take up a piece of Ulva without finding two or three. I kept two alive for a week 
without feeding, as I noticed that after one of their voracious meals the animal 
immediately grew drowsy,—if the word can be used— flaccid, and by next day 
it loosened its hold on the Ulva and was dead. — Selina Hume Macleod ; 24, The 
Strand, Dawlish, September 24, 1860. (Communicated by P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.R.S.) 

Physalia pelagica at Torquay.—My neighbour, Lieutenant Hughes, R.N., has just 
showed me a specimen of the Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia pelagica), so familiar 
to all who traverse the warmer regions of the Atlantic. The bladder is about five 


7296 Radiata, &c. 


inches in length, brilliantly stained with Antwerp blue, merging into the general 
colourless translucency. The crest or “ sail,” is collapsed, and is only slightly tinged 
with pink, and the long pendent cord-like appendages (tentacles, &c.) are reduced, 
probably by the action of the waves on the shore, to their mere bases. Mr. Hughes 
found the specimen the day before yesterday, washed up on the beach at Babbicombe. 
It was alive, but not in vigour, for he lifted it and brought it home in his hand with 
impunity, not having the fear of Mr. G. Bennett’s experience before his eyes; never- 
theless, when put into an aquarium, it gave tokens of life for many hours, by forcible 
contractions at intervals. The species has been found on our western shores before, 
but its occurrence is sufficiently rare to be put among the notabilia of the ‘ Zoologist.’ 
—P. H. Gosse ; Sandhurst, Torquay, October 31, 1860. 


Correction of an Error in the Food-plants of the Larva of Notodonta dictea.— 
Mr. Newman (Zool. 7257), on the authority of Mr. Huckett, gives Betula alba as 
one of the food-plants of the larva of Notodonta dictea. This assertion has been 
previously made by various collectors, and this tree is included in the list of food- 
plants in several entomological works. I cannot, however, help thinking that there 
is some mistake. I have been in the habit of taking this larva ever since I was 
a little boy, but always on some species of poplar or sallow. Many and many 
a birch tree have I thrashed and examined, and though on them I have found eggs 
and larve of N. camelina, N. dictevides and N. dromedarus, never at any time or by 
any chance have I seen the slightest trace of N. dicta, nor have I ever met or heard 
of an entomologist at home or abroad who had done so. It is quite unnecessary for 
me to say that it is the farthest from my wish to cast any doubts on the accuracy or 
veracity of my brother-knights of the net Messrs. Newman and Huckett, but I do ask 
them to tell us in the pages of the ‘ Zoologist,’ whether they have ever found or fed a 
larva of N. dictza on birch, or whether they make the assertion upon hearsay ? and 
I make the same request of all the readers of the ‘ Zvologist’ in all parts of the world. 
It is no use perpetuating an error. Some of the older entomological authors were very 
careless and inaccurate in their lists of the food-plants of Lepidoptera, and it has been 
far too common a custom for succeeding writers to copy their assertions without 
proving by their own practical and optical experience whether they were correct. 
—H. Harpur Crewe ; Drayton-Beauchamp Rectory, near Tring, November 12, 1860. 

[{£ am really obliged for the correction of this very manifest error, and have no 
hesitation whatever in acknowledging it to be so. Thinking it important that the same 
volume that contains the error should also contain the correction, I have thought it 
desirable to insert Mr. Crewe’s letter here, although rather out of the usual course. 
The error is not a copied one: and I may here state, once for all, that every part of 
my descriptions are made without reference to any prior description, unless such fact 
is explicitly stated. For every error detected by my readers I alone'am responsible, 
and shall feel grateful for all corrections.— Edward Newman.]- 


b PORMaE Oi 2 OL OY See eee 
Printed by E. Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgat« Street, London. 


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